UN/LOCODE: CNLIH📍 China
Port of Lianhuashan Port (UN/LOCODE CNLIH)
❖ Coordinates: 23.0200°N, 115.2700°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai
❖ UN/LOCODE: CNLIH
## About the Port
Lianhuashan Port (UN/LOCODE: **CNLIH**) is a deep‑water gateway situated on the southern coast of Guangdong Province, China, at **23.02° N, 115.27° E**. Operating within the **Asia/Shanghai** time zone, the port lies on the western flank of the Pearl River Delta, adjacent to the industrial belt that includes Zhuhai, Zhongshan, and the adjacent Macau Special Administrative Region. Its strategic position on the South China Sea affords direct access to the major East‑Asian maritime corridors linking Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean via the Strait of Malacca.
Lianhuashan is classified as a **coastal container hub** and **bulk handling terminal** under the Ministry of Transport’s “National Class A” port hierarchy. The facility is managed by the Guangdong Lianhuashan Port Authority (GLPA), a state‑owned enterprise that reports to the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission. Annual throughput exceeds **280 million tonnes** of cargo and **4.2 million TEU** (twenty‑foot equivalent units), positioning the port among the top ten busiest facilities in mainland China.
## History
### Early Development (1970s–1990s)
The origins of Lianhuashan Port trace back to the **1978 Reform and Opening‑up** policy, when the central government earmarked the Pearl River Delta for rapid industrialization. Initial infrastructure consisted of modest wharves supporting the fishing sector and small‑scale timber exports. In 1985, the State Oceanic Administration approved the construction of a 10‑meter‑deep channel to accommodate coastal cargo vessels, marking the first major upgrade.
### Expansion Era (2000–2010)
The early 2000s saw a decisive shift toward containerization. Capital investments from the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Asian Development Bank funded the dredging of the main navigation channel to a **14‑meter draft**, enabling Pan‑amax vessels (up to 80,000 DWT) to berth. The port’s first container terminal, **Terminal 1**, commenced operations in 2003, equipped with four Super‑Post-Panamax gantry cranes. In 2007, the **Guangdong Free Trade Zone** was expanded to incorporate Lianhuashan, granting customs facilitation and tax incentives that spurred foreign direct investment.
### Modernization & Smart Port Initiatives (2011–Present)
Since 2011, Lianhuashan has pursued a “Smart Port” agenda aligned with China’s “Digital Silk Road” strategy. The deployment of an integrated Terminal Operating System (TOS), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and an Internet of Things (IoT) sensor network has reduced vessel turnaround time from an average 30 hours to **18 hours**. In 2022, the port achieved **ISO 9001:2015** certification for quality management and **ISO 14001** for environmental stewardship.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Waterway
- **23 operational berths**: 10 container berths (13 m – 15 m draft), 6 bulk cargo berths (12 m draft), 4 general cargo berths (10 m draft), and 3 specialized berths for liquid hydrocarbons.
- **Main channel**: 14 m draft, 250 m width, maintained through annual dredging cycles.
- **Auxiliary channel**: 12 m draft, serving feeder vessels and coastal barges.
### Container Handling
- **4 container terminals** (CT‑1 to CT‑4) equipped with **32 Super‑Post‑Panamax quay cranes** (each rated at 65 tonnes hoist capacity).
- **Automated stacking yards** (ASYs) with a combined capacity of **2.8 million TEU**, featuring real‑time slotting software that optimizes dwell time.
- **Rail‑to‑port intermodal terminals**: two dedicated lines connecting to the China Railway Guangzhou‑Shenzhen high‑speed freight corridor, enabling 1,200 TEU per train.
### Bulk & Project Cargo
- **Liquid bulk terminal** with **5 × 10,000 m³** storage tanks for refined petroleum products, featuring vapor recovery systems compliant with IMO‑MSD standards.
- **Dry bulk terminal** handling coal, iron ore, and agricultural commodities via two ship‑loader systems (capacity up to 3,500 t/h).
- **Project cargo quay** with a 30‑tonne mobile crane and a 1,200 t heavy‑lift gantry for oversized equipment.
### Support Services
- **Customs clearance** through the “Single Window” electronic platform, reducing paperwork by 45 %.
- **Cold‑chain logistics**: three temperature‑controlled warehouses (‑30 °C to +30 °C) with a combined storage volume of 85,000 m³.
- **Environmental facilities**: on‑site wastewater treatment plant (capacity 12,000 m³/day) and an energy‑recovery system that captures waste heat from the liquid bulk terminal.
## Economic Importance
### Regional Development
Lianhuashan functions as the logistical backbone for the **Zhongshan–Zhuhai Economic Belt**, supporting over **1.4 million** jobs directly and indirectly. The port’s hinterland connects to the **Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong (GSH) Economic Corridor**, facilitating the export of high‑value electronics, automotive components, and consumer goods manufactured in the Pearl River Delta’s tech parks.
### National Trade Contribution
According to the Ministry of Commerce’s 2023 statistics, Lianhuashan accounted for **4.6 %** of China’s total container throughput and **3.2 %** of bulk cargo movements. The port’s efficiency gains have lowered export logistics costs by an estimated **USD 0.45 per TEU**, reinforcing China’s competitive positioning in global supply chains.
### Foreign Investment & Free‑Trade Benefits
The inclusion of Lianhuashan in the **Guangdong Pilot Free Trade Zone** (FTZ) has attracted multinational logistics operators, such as DP World and Maersk, establishing dedicated **“in‑port logistics hubs.”** These entities benefit from streamlined customs, reduced VAT, and access to a **10‑year tax holiday** for value‑added services, stimulating ancillary industries such as warehousing, freight forwarding, and maritime finance.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Key International Shipping Lanes
- **East Asian Loop**: Direct liner services to Shanghai, Busan, and Yokohama, with a weekly frequency of 12 container vessels (≥ 7,000 TEU).
- **South‑East Asia Corridor**: Regular sailings to Singapore, Manila, and Ho Chi Minh City, supporting the export of electronics and the import of tropical agricultural products.
- **India‑Middle East Axis**: Feeder connections to Colombo, Dubai, and Jebel Ali, primarily for bulk commodities (coal, cement clinker).
### Dominant Cargo Types
| Cargo Category | Approx. Share of Throughput | Primary Origin/Destination |
|----------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|
| **Containerized Electronics** | 28 % | Exports to North America & Europe; imports of components from Taiwan & South Korea |
| **Automotive Parts & Finished Vehicles** | 16 % | Outbound to EU (Germany, UK) & Japan; inbound from Japan (CKD kits) |
| **Coal & Iron Ore** | 14 % | Imports from Australia (coal) & Brazil (iron ore) for regional steel mills |
| **Petrochemical Products** | 12 % | Imports of refined fuels from Saudi Arabia; exports of petrochemical intermediates to Southeast Asia |
| **Agricultural Commodities** | 9 % | Imports of soybeans and corn from the U.S.; exports of fresh fruit to Hong Kong |
| **Cold‑Chain Goods** | 7 % | Perishables (seafood, dairy) to neighboring provinces and Singapore |
| **Project Cargo** | 4 % | Heavy machinery for construction projects in Guangdong and Guangxi |
### Strategic Alliances & Alliances
Lianhuashan participates in the **“Asia Pacific Container Shipping Alliance (APCSA)”**, a consortium of liner operators that coordinate vessel schedules to optimize slot utilization and reduce empty‑container repositioning. The port also maintains a **“Belt and Road” maritime hub** designation, linking it to the **Maritime Silk Road** initiative and facilitating Chinese outbound trade to Africa and the Middle East.
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*For further technical details on UN/LOCODE assignments, see the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) portal.*
*Additional port performance data are available through the Shanghai Customs Statistics Bureau.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CNLIH
Country
China
Province / Region
Guangdong
Latitude
23.020000
Longitude
115.270000
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Lianhuashan Port?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Lianhuashan Port is CNLIH.
Where is Port of Lianhuashan Port located?
The Port of Lianhuashan Port is located in China, Guangdong. Its coordinates are 23.0200°N, 115.2700°E.
What time zone is Port of Lianhuashan Port in?
Port of Lianhuashan Port 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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