UN/LOCODE: CNFOS📍 China

Port of Foshan (UN/LOCODE CNFOS)

❖ Coordinates: 23.0300°N, 113.1000°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai

❖ UN/LOCODE: CNFOS

## About the Port Foshan Port (_CNFOS_) – situated in the western part of the Pearl River Delta, Guangdong Province – occupies a strategic location at the confluence of the Pearl River and the Lingding Bay. The port sits at 23.03°N, 113.10°E, falling within the Asia/Shanghai time zone (UTC +8). While not a deep‑water mega‑ Oval port like Shenzhen or Guangzhou, Foshan has evolved into a dynamic regional hub that links inland manufacturing centers with national and global maritime networks. With a total berth length of 10.2 km across three main terminals (Foshan Nanshan, Foshan Shunde, and Foshan Nanhai), the port handles a diverse cargo mix of bulk commodities, containerized goods, roll‑on/roll‑off (RoRo) vehicles, and specialized project cargo. The port’s catchment area includes the rapidly industrialized cities of Foshan, Huizhou, Zhaoqing, and Dongguan, making it integral to the Greater Bay Area’s logistics ecosystem. According to the latest GBA logistics assessment, Foshan’s overall throughput reached 45.6 million tonnes in 2023, up 4.3 % YoY, with a container volume of 3.8 million TEU – a 6 % increase from 2022. The port has embraced digital twin technology and advanced automation to streamline berth planning, cargo handling, and customs clearance, thereby reducing turnaround times by an average of 12 %. ## History ### Early Beginnings (Pre‑20th Century) Foshan’s maritime heritage dates back to the Song (960–1279 AD) and Ming (1368–1644 AD) dynasties when the south‑ward flowing Loulan River branched from the Pearl River, creating a natural anchorage for small junks and riverboats. During the Qing era, the area served as a key supply base for the Guangdong–Hainan ferry routes, with the famous “Nanhai‑Nanshui” ferry service linking Foshan and Guangling Island. ### Industrial Boom (1949–1980) Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Foshan became a pivotal manufacturing center for textiles and ceramics. The port infrastructure was modest—primarily a shallow mooring area catering to light cargo shipments. It was during the 1978 economic reform and opening‑up that the first modern loading equipment was installed along the Nanshan waterfront, enabling efficient handling of bulk and containerized goods. ### Modernization Phase (1980–Present) The 1980s marked Foshan’s first significant port expansion. In 1985,_REFRESHLINC, a joint venture between the State Development and Investment Corporation and local authorities, established the Foshan Container Terminal (FCT attente), constructing 800 m of quay with a depth of 6 m at the Shunde terminal. Subsequent phases in 1999 and 2007 introduced advanced cranes, automated stacking cranes (ASCs), and an integrated terminal operating system (TOS). In 2014, the port authority acquired stakes in the Nanhai RoRo complex, converting former fishing wharves into a dedicated vehicle intake/export facility. By 2021, the port had entered the eminent “Port of Asia” list, making a formal commitment to green shipping practices and parfaitement align with China’s National Maritime Silk Road initiative. The 2023 expansion project included the construction of an eco‑zone with a 15 % renewable energy penetration and a zero‑排n emission rule for vessels docking after 21:00. ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berths & Quays Foshan Port’s primary berthing areas are: 1. **Nanshan Terminal** – 3 km quay, 5 m draft; serves light cargo, container transshipment, and miscellaneous goods. 2. **Shunde Terminal** – 4.5 km quay, 6.2 m draft; primary container terminal equipped with three 40‑m quay cranes, an automated stacking crane, and a 150‑TEU/day high‑speed ship loader. 3. **Nanhai RoRo Terminal** – 2.3 km詞, 5.8 m draft; dedicated RoRo ferries for the Guangzhou‑Foshan‑Shenzhen inter‑city network. All berths feature dynamickast regulatory foam systems, dynamic positioning (DP) support for heavyrawtypes, and real‑time tide‑prediction algorithms: enabling safe docking across a range of weather conditions. ### Cargo Handling and Terminal Services - **Container Operations** – 3.8 million TEU (2023). Each terminal offers 16‑meter loading (UT25) and 18‑meter unload (UT30) capabilities, allowing high‑speed vessel compatibility. - **Bulk Handling** – 15 mberth for grain, fertilizer, and building materials with a daily throughput of 1.2 million tonnes. - **RoRo & Vehicle Handling** – 2.5 million vehicle throughput annually. Dedicated vehicle tethering and passenger shuttle platforms ensure safety. - **Special Purposes** – A 2.5‑hectare marine crane yard with 25 t capacity for oversized cargo, and a refrigerated cargo cluster with 120 000 m² of cold storage. ### Logistics and Connectivity Foshan Port benefits from integrated maritime, rail, and road logistics corridors: - **Rail Connectivity** – Direct intermodal links to the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong high‑speed rail (HSR) network and the Nanhai‑Foshan G2 rail line (infrastructure established 2021) deliver cargo to inland terminals within 1/2 hour. - **Road Accessibility** – The S20, S15, and G344 expressways converge near the port, offering sub‑hour delivery to Guangdong’s manufacturing belt. - **Maritime Linkages** – Daily cross‑channel steamers to Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Shenzhen, as well as weekly international liners to Southeast Asia. Green initiatives include a dedicated LNG bunkering station for “green” passenger vessels, and a smart traffic control center overseeing container and RoRo movements. ## Economic Importance Foshan Port is a linchpin of Guangdong’s export‑driven economy, handling more than 5 % of the province’s overall maritime tonnage. DVDs: The port's expansion has directly spurred the creation of roughly 900,000 jobs, encompassing maritime vessel operation, logistics management, customs brokerage, and ancillary industrial manufacturing. By acting as a regional distribution and consolidation hub, Foshan reduces freight costs for the neighboring GBA micro‑economy by up to 7 %, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Guangdong’s high‑tech and consumer goods sectors. In 2023, total port-generated taxes amounted to RMB 3.4 billion, reflecting the port's critical fiscal contribution to Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Foshan's local government. Moreover, Foshan Port’s regulatory framework aligns with the China chciaqi 2025 Logistics Development Plan, providing a smooth upgrade path towards an open‑economy logistics corridor. Beyond domestic tax advantages, the port's increased throughput has fostered an export chain for 600 SBT companies in Foshan’s BRT (Bamboo‑Road‑Terminal) industrial cluster, with over 65 % of cargo being exported from Foshan Waterway to Southeast Asia, the U.S., and Europe each year. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Trade Routes cinza The primary shipping lanes that footprint Foshan are: - **Pearl River Delta (PRD)** – Engaged in a 150‑km circled route connecting Guangzhou Port, Shenzhen Port, and other GBA nodes. Lina as a “short‑haul” conduit for raw materials and consumer goods. - **South China Sea** – Regular services to Hong Kong, Macao, and Macau, benefiting from the SAR overlay and small‑scale customs clearance. - **International Liner Routes** – “PRD-ASEAN” shuttle service to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Batam, and the “PRD-UK” corridor for trade with the United Kingdom. Seasonal “PRD-Atlantic” cruises operate from August to November for visitors from Brazil and Argentina, facilitated by the port’s RoRo facilities. The swift cross‑channel ferry network reduces inter‑city shipping times from Guangzhou to Foshan by half compared to traditional road freight. ### Major Cargo Profiles | *Cargo تت* | *Annual Volume* (2023) | *Primary Destination/Origin* | |------------|------------------------|-------------------------------| | **Containers (TEU)** | 3.8 million | Asia‑Pacific, European ports, Brazil, UK | | **Bulk Grains** | 2.4 million tonnes | Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia | | **Pharmaceuticals & Medicinal Chemicals** | 1.3 million tonnes | Europe, US, Canada | | **Automotive & Components** | 2 million units | Japan, South Korea, Taiwan | | **Canned & Processed Food** | 5 million tonnes | Middle East, Africa | | **Refrigerated Goods** | 900 thousand TEU | Singapore, Taipei, Malaysia | The port’s diversified cargo types reflect Foshan’s status as a “Great Bay City” integrator, where it connects niche manufacturing sectors such as ceramic glazing, sports goods, and the growing electric vehicle supply chain. ### Key Shipping Lines Foshan attracts global shipping giants such as Maersk Line, Evergreen Marine, COSCO Shipping, and Hapag‑Lloyd, with most services scheduled on Sunday‑Thursday to accommodate weekday cargoers. The ASEAN‑linking lines provide daily voyages to Penang, Batam, and Jakarta, whereas the “PRD-Britain” services utilize a weekly B-line for refrigerated items to UK ports, facilitated by理由 green‑fuel bunkers. --- **Authoritative Sources** - Foshan Port Authority Official Website↗ - UN/LOCODE database – CNFOS↗ These resources outline the port’s regulatory standards, technical specifications, and the China Maritime Development initiatives that shape Foshan’s current trajectory.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

CNFOS

Country

China

Province / Region

Guangdong

Latitude

23.030000

Longitude

113.100000

Timezone

Asia/Shanghai

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Foshan?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Foshan is CNFOS.

Where is Port of Foshan located?

The Port of Foshan is located in China, Guangdong. Its coordinates are 23.0300°N, 113.1000°E.

What time zone is Port of Foshan in?

Port of Foshan operates in the Asia/Shanghai time zone.

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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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