A sea-rail combined train carrying 50 containers of goods departs from Zhongshan Station in Hezhou to Beibu Gulf ports. [Photo provided by Li Tingyu to chinadaily.com.cn]

The launch ceremony of the first sea-rail combined train from Hezhou to Beibu Gulf ports on the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor was held at Zhongshan Station in Hezhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on July 22.

The train, which was carrying 50 containers, departed from Zhongshan Station in Hezhou and will go overseas via Beibu Gulf ports.

In recent years, Hezhou has made great efforts to lead the city's economic and social accelerated development through the east integration strategy. The shipments of calcium carbonate and products from the stone industry have put forward huge demand for logistics, but also provides abundant supply for Beibu Gulf ports.

Chen Qiang, deputy director of the Wuzhou Freight Center of China Railway Nanning Bureau Group Co, said that railway transportation has the advantages of being able to handle large volumes at a low cost, while also being energy saving and adhering to environmental protection measures. The opening of the Hezhou-Beibu Gulf ports sea-rail combined train can effectively enhance the capacity of Hezhou's transport channels, promote the high-quality and capacity expansion of stone product enterprises, as well as help regional economic development.

Ning Wu, deputy general manager of Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group, said that the route is conducive to bringing more cargo sources to the Beibu Gulf ports, increasing port throughput and sea-rail combined container volume.

The opening of the Hezhou-Beibu Gulf ports line will further expand the interaction between the Beibu Gulf ports and the hinterland of the inland regions, marking the seamless connection of a land-sea channel in Guangxi. The new route will not only drive the growth of Beibu Gulf ports' container throughput, but is of great significance to building an international gateway port in the Beibu Gulf, providing a stable, safe, and convenient transportation channel for the eastern region of Guangxi.