UN/LOCODE: CNFAN📍 China
Port of Fangcheng Port (UN/LOCODE CNFAN)
❖ Coordinates: 21.7700°N, 108.3500°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai
❖ UN/LOCODE: CNFAN
## About the Port
Fangcheng Port (UN/LOCODE **CNFAN**) is a deep‑water, multi‑modal gateway situated in the coastal city of **Fangchenggang**, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China. The port lies at **21.77° N, 108.35° E** on the western rim of the **Beibu Gulf** (also known as the Gulf of Tonkin) and operates on **Asia/Shanghai (UTC +8)** time. As a strategically positioned maritime hub, Fangcheng Port serves as the gateway for northwest‑Guangxi, the Greater Mekong Subregion, and the burgeoning China‑ASEAN trade corridor.
The port is administered by the **Fangchenggang Port Group Co., Ltd.**, which reports to the Guangxi Maritime Administration. Its geographical advantage—proximity to the Vietnam border, deep natural water depths, and direct connectivity to the Nanning–Guangzhou high‑speed railway—makes it a key node in China’s “Maritime Silk Road” initiative.
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## History
| Period | Milestones |
|--------|------------|
| **Pre‑1970s** | The site functioned as a modest fishing harbor under the Qing dynasty. |
| **1975–1990** | Following the reform‑and‑opening policy, the central government earmarked Fangcheng as a “coastal opening‑up” zone. Initial berths (0.5 km) were constructed to handle bulk coal and timber. |
| **1995** | Designation as a *national Class‑II* port, allowing the handling of containerized cargo for the first time. |
| **2003–2008** | Expansion of the *North Port* area, including a dedicated **20‑meter draft** container terminal and a **dry bulk terminal** for iron ore and phosphates. |
| **2012** | Integration into the **Guangxi–Vietnam Economic Corridor** under the “Belt and Road” framework, prompting upgrades to rail‑to‑sea intermodal facilities. |
| **2016–2020** | Completion of the **South Port** deep‑water berths (up to 23 m draft) and the **liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal**. Cargo throughput surpassed **150 million tonnes** and **4.2 million TEU** annually. |
| **2023** | Launch of the **Smart Port Management System**, leveraging AI‑driven traffic scheduling and IoT‑based cargo tracking, positioning Fangcheng Port among the top 15 most technologically advanced ports in China. |
These phases reflect Fangcheng’s transformation from a regional fishing dock to a modern, internationally oriented hub capable of handling ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs) and diversified cargo streams.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Draft
- **12 deep‑water berths** (12–23 m draft), accommodating vessels up to 300,000 DWT.
- **4 container berths** equipped with shore‑side gantry cranes (max 22 m outreach).
- **2 bulk berths** (coal, iron ore) with conveyor‑belt loading systems.
- **1 LNG berth** with a 1.5 mt per day regasification capacity.
### Container Handling
- **4,800 m²** of automated container yards (ACCs) with **20 m high stack capacity**.
- **25 super‑post‑panamax gantry cranes**, **12 RTG (Rubber‑Tired Gantry) cranes**, and **8 reach stackers**.
- Annual throughput: **≈ 4.5 million TEU** (2023), projected to reach **6 million TEU** by 2027.
### Bulk & Project Cargo
- **15 ha** dedicated dry‑bulk terminal; handling rates of **12 kt** per day for coal or ore.
- **2 ha** multi‑purpose project cargo yard, facilitating oversized machinery, wind‑turbine components, and steel girders.
### Liquid Cargo
- **Two crude oil terminals** (combined capacity 8 mt per year).
- **LNG terminal** with dual storage tanks (10 kt total) and a dedicated regasification unit.
### Intermodal Connectivity
| Mode | Details |
|------|---------|
| **Rail** | Direct link to the **Nanning–Guangzhou high‑speed railway** (1,200 km) and the **Beibu Gulf Rail Corridor**, enabling 200 kt/year of rail‑to‑sea cargo. |
| **Road** | Access to **National Highway 322** and the **Guangxi Expressway Network**, supporting 120 kt of truck traffic daily. |
| **Inland Waterway** | Connection to the **Mekong River system** via the **Bac Lieu Canal**, providing an alternative route to Vietnam’s hinterland. |
### Supporting Facilities
- **Customs Clearance Center**: 24‑hour electronic clearance platform integrated with the China E‑Port system.
- **Cold‑Storage Complex**: 120,000 m³ of refrigerated space for perishable goods.
- **Ship Repair Yard**: 3‑berth dry‑dock capable of servicing vessels up to 150,000 DWT.
All facilities are governed by ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001 certifications, ensuring compliance with international safety, environmental, and quality standards.
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## Economic Importance
Fangcheng Port underpins the economic dynamism of **Northwest Guangxi** and the broader **Beibu Gulf Economic Zone**. Key contributions include:
1. **Regional GDP Impact** – The port’s activities generate an estimated **¥ 45 billion** (≈ US $6.5 billion) in direct and indirect economic output, accounting for **≈ 7 %** of Guangxi’s provincial GDP.
2. **Employment** – Over **18,000** permanent jobs are linked to port operations, logistics, and ancillary services, with an additional 45,000 indirect positions in the supply chain.
3. **Trade Diversification** – By handling both **containerized** and **bulk** cargo, the port reduces reliance on traditional coastal hubs (e.g., Guangzhou, Shenzhen), offering cost‑effective alternatives for manufacturers in the **Yunnan–Guangxi corridor**.
4. **Belt and Road Integration** – Fangcheng serves as a critical node on the **Maritime Silk Road**, linking Chinese inland production bases to Southeast Asian markets and beyond. In 2023, the port facilitated **≈ 12 %** of China’s total trade with ASEAN nations, a share that is projected to rise to **15 %** by 2028.
5. **Industrial Clusters** – The surrounding area hosts **high‑tech parks**, **automotive assembly plants**, and **phosphate fertilizer complexes**, all of which rely on the port for inbound raw materials and outbound finished goods.
The port’s continued expansion aligns with the Chinese government’s “**Dual Circulation**” strategy, reinforcing domestic supply chains while sustaining outward‑looking export growth.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Principal Trade Lanes
| Direction | Key Destinations | Vessel Types |
|-----------|------------------|--------------|
| **Northwest China → Beibu Gulf** | Nanning, Chengdu, Kunming (via rail); Qingdao, Shanghai (via coastal liner) | Container feeder, Ro‑Ro |
| **Beibu Gulf → ASEAN** | Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Manila, Singapore (via the **Beibu Gulf–ASEAN** corridor) | ULCV container, bulk carriers |
| **Beibu Gulf → Europe / Africa** | Rotterdam, Hamburg, Lagos (via the **Maritime Silk Road**) | 20 – 22 k TEU container ships |
| **Inland Waterway** | Mekong Delta (Vietnam) | River barges, feeder vessels |
The port’s **24‑hour navigational window**—enabled by deep natural channels and state‑of‑the‑art pilotage—supports 600+ ship calls annually, with a peak seasonal surge during the **Nov–Feb** export window for agricultural products.
### Cargo Profile
| Cargo Type | Annual Volume (2023) | Main Commodities |
|-----------|----------------------|------------------|
| **Containerized** | 4.5 million TEU | Electronics, textiles, automotive parts, consumer goods |
| **Dry Bulk** | 78 mt | Coal, iron ore, bauxite, phosphates |
| **Liquid Bulk** | 12 mt | Crude oil, LPG, LNG |
| **Perishables** | 0.9 mt (cold‑storage) | Fresh fruit, seafood, frozen meat |
| **Project Cargo** | 1,500 units | Wind turbine blades, heavy machinery, prefabricated structures |
The **container segment** dominates, reflecting Guangxi’s growing export of **high‑value manufactured goods** and its role as a transshipment hub for ASEAN imports. Notably, **automotive components** from the region’s burgeoning EV supply chain account for **≈ 22 %** of total container volume.
### Future Outlook
- **Capacity Expansion**: A feasibility study approved in 2024 targets an additional **2 million TEU** capacity by 2029 through the construction of a **Northern Expansion Zone** (3 new gantry cranes, 5 km of new quay).
- **Digitalization**: The upcoming **Port Community System (PCS)**, set for launch in 2025, will integrate customs, shipping lines, and terminal operators on a blockchain‑based platform, improving transparency and reducing clearance times by **up to 30 %**.
- **Sustainability**: Fangcheng Port has pledged to achieve **carbon neutrality** by 2035, investing in shore‑power (cold‑ ironing) facilities and electrified cargo‑handling equipment.
These initiatives position Fangcheng Port not only as a logistical conduit but also as a **model of modern, green maritime infrastructure** within the South China Sea region.
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*For further technical details and official updates, consult the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE) database* (UN/LOCODE)↗ *and the China Port Authority’s portal* (China Port)↗.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CNFAN
Country
China
Province / Region
Guangxi
Latitude
21.770000
Longitude
108.350000
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Fangcheng Port?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Fangcheng Port is CNFAN.
Where is Port of Fangcheng Port located?
The Port of Fangcheng Port is located in China, Guangxi. Its coordinates are 21.7700°N, 108.3500°E.
What time zone is Port of Fangcheng Port in?
Port of Fangcheng Port operates in the Asia/Shanghai time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.72 m
Wave Direction178°
Swell Height0.68 m
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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