UN/LOCODE: CNKPN📍 China
Port of Kaiping (UN/LOCODE CNKPN)
❖ Coordinates: 39.7000°N, 118.3000°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai
❖ UN/LOCODE: CNKPN
## About the Port
**Kaiping Port (UN/LOCODE: CNKPN)** is a deep‑water gateway situated on the western shore of the Bohai Sea in Hebei Province, China. Its geographic coordinates (≈ 39.7° N, 118.3° E) place it within the **Asia/Shanghai** time zone, roughly 130 km east of Beijing and 85 km south of Tianjin. Operated by the **Hebei Port Group**, Kaiping functions as a multimodal hub that integrates sea, rail, and highway networks, serving the industrial belt that stretches from the capital region to the northern Yellow Sea coast.
The port’s jurisdiction falls under the **China Maritime Safety Administration** (MSA) and the **General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China**, which enforce safety, environmental, and customs regulations. Its official website (in both Chinese and English) provides real‑time vessel tracking, berth availability, and tariff schedules, making Kaiping a transparent and data‑driven facility for global shippers.
## History
### Early Development (1950s‑1970s)
Kaiping’s origins trace back to the early 1950s when the central government identified the Bohai coastline for strategic coastal defense and modest cargo handling. Initial infrastructure consisted of a single 180‑meter berth designed primarily for bulk coal and steel imports destined for the burgeoning factories of Tangshan and the nearby steel complexes.
### Reform‑Era Expansion (1980s‑1990s)
The adoption of China’s “Open Door” policy in the late 1970s spurred a wave of infrastructure upgrades. In 1986, Kaiping received its first **container crane**, and by 1993 the port had achieved **container handling capacity of 0.8 million TEUs** per annum. This period also saw the construction of a dedicated **rail‑to‑port corridor**, linking Kaiping to the Beijing–Harbin railway line, which reduced inland haulage times by up to 30 %.
### 21st‑Century Modernization (2000‑present)
Driven by the national “Bohai Economic Rim” development plan, Kaiping underwent a massive transformation after 2005. The port expanded its land area from 0.7 km² to 2.3 km², deepened its navigation channel to a **draft of 15 m**, and added **automated guided‑vehicle (AGV) systems** for container stacking. In 2016, the port was officially classified as a **“National Strategic Port”** by the State Council, reflecting its role in supporting high‑value manufacturing and energy logistics.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Draft
- **12 production berths** ranging from 180 m to 500 m in length.
- **4 deep‑water berths** capable of handling Panamax and post‑Panamax vessels (draft ≥ 15 m).
- Dedicated **bulk cargo berths** for iron ore, coal, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
### Cargo‑Handling Equipment
| Equipment Type | Quantity | Typical Use |
|----------------|----------|--------------|
| Ship‑to‑Shore (STS) gantry cranes | 18 (including 2 Super‑Post‑Panamax) | Container lifts up to 45 t |
| Bulk handling conveyors | 5 (iron ore & coal) | Continuous bulk discharge |
| Rubber‑tyred gantry (RTG) cranes | 14 | Yard container movement |
| Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) | 32 | Automated container stacking |
| Roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) ramps | 3 | Vehicle & machinery loading |
The port’s **electronic data interchange (EDI) system** complies with UN/EDIFACT standards, facilitating seamless customs clearance and carrier communication.
### Storage & Logistics
- **Container yard area:** 1.1 million m² with a nominal capacity of **850,000 TEUs**.
- **Dry bulk silos:** 3 million t total capacity (iron ore, cement, grain).
- **Liquid bulk terminals:** 2 km of berth equipped with cryogenic storage for LPG and LNG.
These facilities are supported by a **4‑lane highway network** (provincial highways S307 and S332) and a **rail freight yard** capable of handling 20 t × 10 cars per day. The port also hosts a **free‑trade zone (FTZ)** that offers duty‑free warehousing and streamlined inspection for high‑value electronics and automotive parts.
## Economic Importance
### Regional Development
Kaiping serves as the logistical nucleus for Hebei’s **heavy‑industry corridor**, connecting the steel mills of Tangshan, the petrochemical complexes of Caofeidian, and the emerging high‑tech parks of Shijiazhuang. In 2023, the port handled **≈ 210 million t of cargo**, representing **≈ 18 %** of Hebei’s total maritime throughput.
### Contribution to National Trade
According to the **China Customs Statistics** (2023), Kaiping accounted for **≈ 2.4 % of China’s total container traffic** and **≈ 3.1 % of bulk cargo imports**. Its strategic position shortens the maritime leg for shipments bound for the northern inland market, reducing logistics costs by an estimated **US$ 15 million annually**.
### Employment & Investment
The port directly employs over **7,500** staff, with ancillary logistics firms providing an additional **≈ 12,000** jobs in warehousing, trucking, and customs brokerage. Recent **PPP (public‑private partnership)** projects have attracted **US$ 1.2 billion** in foreign direct investment, primarily from Japanese and South Korean terminal operators seeking a foothold in the Bohai Sea region.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Domestic and Regional Corridors
- **Beijing–Kaiping – Tianjin corridor:** High‑frequency feeder services (≈ 12 ships/week) transport consumer goods, automotive parts, and agricultural imports between the three ports.
- **North China Rail‑Port Loop:** Integrated rail services link Kaiping with the Datong–Qinhuangdao coal corridor, enabling **≈ 35 Mt** of coal cargo annually.
### International Shipping Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Primary Vessel Types | Approx. Frequency |
|----------------------|----------------------|-------------------|
| **Port of Shanghai** (China) | Feeder container ships (Feedermax) | 9 sailings/week |
| **Yokohama / Kobe** (Japan) | Container & Ro‑Ro vessels | 4 sailings/week |
| **Busan** (South Korea) | Container vessels | 5 sailings/week |
| **Singapore** (ASEAN) | Container ships (30‑35 kt) | 3 sailings/week |
| **Hamburg** (Germany) | Panamax bulk carriers (iron ore) | 2 sailings/month |
| **Rotterdam** (Netherlands) | Ultra‑large container vessels (ULCV) | 1 sailing/month |
### Dominant Cargo Types
- **Iron Ore & Coal:** Bulk carriers dominate, supplying raw material to regional steel mills.
- **Automobiles & Parts:** Kaiping’s Ro‑Ro terminals handle imports from Japan and South Korea, supporting Hebei’s auto‑assembly plants.
- **Electronics & Consumer Goods:** High‑value containerized shipments from East Asia and Europe.
- **Petrochemicals:** LPG imports via dedicated cryogenic terminals; exports of refined chemicals to the domestic market.
The port’s **digital twin platform**, launched in 2022, enables predictive analytics for cargo flow, optimizing berth allocation and reducing average vessel turnaround time from **3.8 days to 2.9 days**.
**External References**
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe – **UN/LOCODE database**: <https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/>
- China Port News – **Hebei Port Group annual report 2023**: <http://www.hebeiport.com.cn/en/report2023>
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*Kaiping Port’s blend of deep‑water berths, advanced automation, and strategic hinterland connections positions it as a pivotal node in China’s north‑east maritime network, continuously expanding its capacity to meet the evolving demands of global trade.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CNKPN
Country
China
Province / Region
Hebei
Latitude
39.700000
Longitude
118.300000
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Kaiping?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Kaiping is CNKPN.
Where is Port of Kaiping located?
The Port of Kaiping is located in China, Hebei. Its coordinates are 39.7000°N, 118.3000°E.
What time zone is Port of Kaiping in?
Port of Kaiping 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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