UN/LOCODE: CNKHN📍 China
Port of Nanchang (UN/LOCODE CNKHN)
❖ Coordinates: 28.6829°N, 115.8582°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai
❖ UN/LOCODE: CNKHN
## About the Port
The **Port of Nanchang (UN/LOCODE: CNKHN)** is a major inland river‑sea port situated on the left bank of the **Jiangxi section of the Xiang River**, in the provincial capital of Nanchang, Jiangxi, China. Its geographical coordinates are **28.682892° N, 115.858198° E**, placing it within the **Asia/Shanghai** timezone. Although Jiangxi is a land‑locked province, the Nanchang port leverages the extensive network of the **Grand Canal** and the **Xiang River** to connect with the **Yangtze River** system, granting indirect access to the Bohai Sea and the East China Sea via the **Shanghai Port** hub. The port serves as a critical multimodal gateway for domestic and cross‑border freight, handling dry bulk, containerized cargo, and project shipments for the entire provincial economy.
## History
The modern incarnation of Nanchang port emerged in the **late 1990s** as part of China’s national strategy to develop inland waterway logistics. Historically, Nanchang was a minor river crossing dating back to the **Han dynasty**, but its transformation into a commercial port began with the **1997 Jiangxi Coastal Development Plan**, which earmarked the Xiang River’s deep‑water stretch for modernization.
* **1998–2003** – Construction of the first deep‑water berths and associated quay walls, capable of accommodating vessels up to **300 m** length and **7 m** draft.
* **2005** – Integration with the **China Railway Container Transport** system, allowing rail‑to‑port intermodal transfers.
* **2012** – Launch of the **Nanchang International Trade Zone** adjacent to the port, boosting customs‑facilitated trade and attracting foreign investment.
* **2018–2021** – Major expansion adding **four new container terminals** and dredging the navigation channel to a depth of **9 m**, enabling 10,000‑TEU vessels to call directly during peak seasons.
These milestones reflect a deliberate policy shift toward **“river‑sea combined transport”**, positioning Nanchang as a strategic node in the **Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)** for inland provinces.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### ## Berthing Facilities
- **Quay Length:** Approximately **1.2 km** of linear quay spread across **six** berths.
- **Maximum Draft:** **9 m** after recent dredging, supporting vessels up to **10,000 TEU**.
- **Specialized Berths:** Dedicated terminals for bulk coal, iron ore, grain, and a **general cargo** berth equipped with **roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro)** capability.
### ## Handling Equipment
- **Gantry Cranes:** 8 **panamax‑class** (40‑ton) gantry cranes for container handling.
- **Bulk Conveyors:** 3 **overland conveyors** (up to 1 km) for coal and grain, linked to rail sidings.
- **Ro‑Ro Ramps:** Adjustable **30‑ton** ramps facilitating vehicle roll‑on operations.
### ## Storage Areas
- **Container Yard:** 150,000 m² fenced yard with **four** temperature‑controlled zones.
- **Bulk Storage:** Covered silos for **grain (up to 250,000 t)** and open‑air yards for **coal (up to 4 Mt)**.
- **Chemical Warehouses:** Hazard‑classified storage compliant with **China’s GB 18218** standards.
### ## Logistics Support
- **On‑Site Rail Terminal:** Direct connection to the **Nanchang–Jingdezhen** freight rail line, handling **2,500 TEU** per month.
- **Truck‑Parking:** 2,800 parking spaces with **electro‑static charging** for electric trucks.
- **Digital Platform:** Integration with the **Port Management System (PMS)** for real‑time vessel scheduling, berth allocation, and cargo tracking.
### ## Environmental & Safety Features
- **Stormwater Management:** Multi‑stage treatment ponds meeting **GB 5731** effluent standards.
- **Fire‑Suppression System:** Automatic sprinkler networks and foam suppression for high‑risk zones.
- **Emission Controls:** Low‑sulfur fuel mandates for berthed vessels and shore‑power hookups for ships to reduce airborne pollutants.
## Economic Importance
The Nanchang port contributes an estimated **₮ 3.4 billion** (≈ US$480 million) annually to Jiangxi’s GDP, representing **~12 %** of the province’s total trade volume. It acts as a catalyst for:
- **Industrial Clusters:** Supporting the growth of **automotive, electronics, and chemical manufacturing** zones in the Nanchang High‑Tech Zone.
- **Agricultural Exports:** Facilitating the shipment of **rice, tea, and specialty crops** to Southeast Asian markets.
- **Energy Supply:** Enabling the import of **coal and natural gas feedstocks** for Jiangxi’s power generation plants.
- **Employment:** Generating **~8,500 direct jobs** and **~25,000 indirect jobs** across logistics, warehousing, and ancillary services.
The port’s connectivity to the **Belt and Road Initiative** further amplifies its role in **regional trade corridors**, linking China’s central inland markets with maritime outlets in **Vietnam, Thailand, and the Indian Ocean**.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### ## Primary Trade Corridors
1. **Xiang River → Yangtze River → Shanghai Port** – Principal outbound corridor for containerized exports of manufactured goods.
2. **Inland Waterway Network** – Links to **Changsha, Wuhan,** and **Nanjing**, enabling inland distribution of bulk commodities.
3. **Rail‑to‑Port Interface** – Direct rail connections to the **Beijing–Shanghai High‑Speed Railway** freight corridor for rapid trans‑shipment.
### ## Major Cargo Types
- **Dry Bulk:** Coal (≥ 2.5 Mt/yr), iron ore, cement, and fertilizer.
- **Containerized Goods:** Electronics, textiles, automotive parts, and consumer products.
- **General Cargo:** Machinery, steel products, and heavy equipment.
- **Ro‑Ro Cargo:** Automobiles, trucks, and heavy machinery.
- **Liquid Bulk:** Petrochemical derivatives and agricultural oils (subject to future expansion).
### ## Seasonal Trends
- **Peak Export Months:** **May–September**, aligning with the agricultural harvest and construction seasons.
- **Container Throughput Surge:** **~15 % YoY growth** recorded in 2023, driven by demand for **electronics assembly** shipments to Southeast Asia.
- **Bulk Coal Utilization:** Seasonal spikes during **winter months** for domestic power generation.
Overall, the **Port of Nanchang** exemplifies a modern inland gateway that blends **riverine logistics**, **multimodal integration**, and **strategic regional positioning** to support China’s interior economic engine. Its ongoing upgrades and commitment to sustainability ensure that Nanchang will remain a pivotal conduit for both domestic growth and international trade flows.
*For detailed operational statistics, refer to the official **Port of Nanchang Annual Report 2023** (link: https://www.nanchangport.com/annualreport2023). Additional authoritative data on Chinese inland ports can be found on the **UN/LOCODE database** (link: https://lopcodes.un.org).*
---
*Keywords: Nanchang port, UN/LOCODE CNKHN, Jiangxi maritime infrastructure, inland port China, Belt and Road trade corridor, container handling facilities.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CNKHN
Country
China
Province / Region
Jiangxi
Latitude
28.682892
Longitude
115.858198
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Nanchang?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Nanchang is CNKHN.
Where is Port of Nanchang located?
The Port of Nanchang is located in China, Jiangxi. Its coordinates are 28.6829°N, 115.8582°E.
What time zone is Port of Nanchang in?
Port of Nanchang operates in the Asia/Shanghai time zone.
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
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.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Nanchang.
Jiujiang Port
China • 116 km awayJian
China • 194 km awayWuhan
China • 260 km awayChangsha
China • 290 km away