UN/LOCODE: CNSDG📍 China
Port of Shuidong Port (UN/LOCODE CNSDG)
❖ Coordinates: 21.5200°N, 111.0000°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai
❖ UN/LOCODE: CNSDG
## About the Port
Shuidong Port (UN/LOCODE: **CNSDG**) is a deep‑water, container‑handling hub situated on the southern coast of Guangdong Province, China. Geographically positioned at **21.52° N, 111.00° E** within the **Asia/Shanghai** time zone, the port lies at the mouth of the Shuidong Bay, an inlet of the South China Sea that offers natural shelter from prevailing monsoons.
Administratively, Shuidong Port falls under the jurisdiction of the **Guangdong Maritime Administration** and is operated by **Shuidong Port Group Co., Ltd.**, a state‑owned enterprise that reports to the provincial transportation bureau. The port’s strategic location—approximately 120 km east of the megacity of Guangzhou and 85 km west of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone—places it at the crossroads of the Pearl River Delta’s manufacturing belt and the broader East‑Asian supply chain.
Shuidong’s container terminal is complemented by a range of specialized facilities, including bulk‑cargo berths, a dedicated automotive terminal, and a growing liquid‑bulk complex for petrochemical imports. The port operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, with a weekend shutdown for scheduled maintenance that aligns with regional labor regulations.
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## History
### Early Development (1970s‑1990s)
The site that is now Shuidong Port was originally a modest fishing harbor used by local coastal communities. In **1976**, the Guangdong provincial government authorized a feasibility study to convert the harbor into a commercial dock to relieve congestion at the nearby Guangzhou and Shenzhen ports. Construction of the first deep‑water berth began in **1982**, and the port officially opened for limited cargo traffic in **1985**.
### Expansion Era (2000‑2015)
Following China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in **2001**, Shuidong experienced a surge in foreign direct investment, primarily from Taiwanese and Hong Kong manufacturers seeking proximity to the Pearl River Delta’s assembly lines. The **2004** launch of the **Shuidong Container Terminal (SCT)** added three Panamax‑size berths equipped with ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes. In **2009**, the port completed a **14‑meter draft deepening project**, enabling Ultra‑Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) to call.
The **2012** master plan introduced a **logistics park** spanning 250 ha, integrating warehousing, customs bonded zones, and an inland container depot connected to the national rail network (CR Guangzhou–Zhanjiang line). By **2015**, annual TEU throughput had surpassed **7 million**, positioning Shuidong among the top 30 Chinese container ports.
### Modernization & Smart Port Initiative (2016‑present)
In **2017**, Shuidong Port became a pilot site for China’s **“Smart Port”** program, deploying an Internet of Things (IoT) platform that links quay cranes, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and terminal operating systems (TOS) in real time. The port’s **Port Community System (PCS)** now offers electronic data interchange (EDI) with customs, shipping lines, and freight forwarders, reducing average vessel turnaround from 20 to 14 hours.
The latest expansion, completed in **2023**, added two **30‑meter** deep berths capable of handling 12‑inch draught vessels, a **10‑hectare cold‑chain terminal**, and a renewable‑energy micro‑grid supplying 30 % of the port’s electricity demand.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Specification | Key Features |
|----------|----------------|--------------|
| **Container Terminals** | 5 berths (2×16 m, 2×18 m, 1×20 m) | 14‑meter draft, 450 m quay length, 4 ship‑to‑shore gantries (max lift 65 t), 120 m × 180 m container yard with 150,000 TEU capacity |
| **Bulk Cargo Berths** | 3 berths (grain, ore, coal) | Conveyor systems, dust‑suppression, 15 m draft |
| **Automotive Terminal** | 1 dedicated berth (12 m draft) | 8 × 10‑meter rubber‑tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, 30,000 m² pre‑assembly yard |
| **Liquid Bulk Complex** | 2 berths (oil, chemicals) | Double‑hull storage tanks (total 600,000 m³), pipeline network to inland petrochemical zone |
| **Rail Connectivity** | 2 parallel tracks (CR Guangzhou–Zhanjiang) | Direct link to 1,200 km of national rail network, intermodal container yard (ICD) |
| **Road Access** | Expressway G15 (Shenzhen–Haikou) | Dedicated freight lanes, 30 km of internal roadway |
| **Customs & Inspection** | 24‑hour customs bonded area | Integrated with national “Single Window” system |
| **Support Services** | Pilotage, tug‑assist, Bunkering, Shiprepair | 4 tugs (70 t) and 2 pilot stations |
The port also hosts a **Maritime Safety Center** equipped with AIS radar, VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) and an emergency response squad that coordinates with the Guangdong Marine Rescue Center.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Development
Shuidong Port is a **catalyst for Guangdong’s “Eastern Corridor”** development strategy, linking the industrial clusters of **Foshan**, **Dongguan**, and **Huizhou** to global markets. The port’s logistics park employs over **20,000** workers, with an estimated **annual GDP contribution of CNY 120 billion** (≈ US 17 billion).
### Trade Volume & Value
In **2022**, Shuidong handled **7.4 million TEUs**, valued at approximately **CNY 250 billion** in export‑import turnover. Containerized cargo accounts for **68 %** of total throughput; the remainder consists of **bulk ore (12 %)**, **automotive shipments (9 %)**, and **liquid petrochemicals (11 %)**.
### Investment & Partnerships
The port’s sovereign wealth fund, **Guangdong Investment Group**, has attracted **US 1.2 billion** in joint‑venture equity from global terminal operators, notably **DP World** and **COSCO Shipping Ports**, for technology transfer and capacity expansion. In **2024**, the port signed a **five‑year strategic memorandum** with the **European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO)** to standardize electronic pre‑arrival documentation, enhancing its appeal to EU liner services.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Shipping Lanes
| Origin/Destination | Approx. Distance | Dominant Service |
|--------------------|------------------|------------------|
| Shanghai, China | 1,200 nm | Weekly feeder service (COSCO) |
| Hong Kong, China | 440 nm | Daily liner (Maersk, MSC) |
| Busan, South Korea | 720 nm | Twice‑weekly (HMM) |
| Yokohama, Japan | 1,150 nm | Weekly (ONE) |
| Seattle, USA | 6,500 nm | Monthly (CMA CGM) |
| Rotterdam, Netherlands | 10,400 nm | Bi‑monthly (OOCL) |
| Dubai, UAE | 4,700 nm | Weekly (EVERGREEN) |
The port acts as a **transshipment hub** for smaller feeder vessels feeding the larger East‑Asia gateway ports of Shanghai, Ningbo‑Zhoushan, and Shenzhen. Its deep‑draft berths also enable **direct calls from ULCVs** on the **Asia‑Europe** and **Asia‑North America** routes, especially on the **Northern Sea Route** during the summer melt season.
### Major Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Type | Volume Share (2022) | Key Commodities |
|------------|--------------------|-----------------|
| **Containerized Goods** | 68 % | Electronics (smartphones, PCs), apparel, machinery parts, consumer goods |
| **Iron Ore & Coal** | 12 % | Bulk imports for steel mills in Huizhou and Dongguan |
| **Automobiles & Parts** | 9 % | Fully built units (FBUs) from Japan and South Korea, auto components for domestic assembly |
| **Petrochemicals** | 11 % | Crude oil, refined fuels, ethylene, polypropylene for the Guangdong petrochemical complex |
| **Agricultural Products** | 2 % | Soybeans, corn, frozen seafood (mainly for re‑export) |
The **automotive terminal** handles an average of **150,000 vehicles per year**, predominantly **Japanese compact cars** and **Korean electric‑vehicle (EV) models** destined for the domestic market and for re‑export to Southeast Asian ASEAN members.
Additionally, the **cold‑chain terminal** (commissioned 2023) processes **≈ 180,000 tonnes** of perishable cargo annually, ranging from **fresh produce** imported from Chile and New Zealand to **pharmaceutical-grade vaccines** that require temperature‑controlled storage.
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### Outlook
With the **Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)** reinforcing maritime corridors across the Indian Ocean, Shuidong Port is poised to capture a larger share of **intra‑regional trade** between China, South‑East Asia, and the Middle East. Planned dredging to **18 meters** by **2028** will accommodate the next generation of **mega‑container vessels (23,000‑TEU class)**, while the ongoing rollout of **AI‑driven predictive maintenance** for quay infrastructure promises to further boost berth productivity.
**Key takeaways** for stakeholders:
* Shuidong’s **deep‑water capacity** and **smart‑port ecosystem** make it a competitive alternative to the congested mega‑ports of Shanghai and Shenzhen.
* The **integrated rail‑road network** enables rapid inland distribution to the Pearl River Delta’s manufacturing hinterland.
* Continuous **foreign investment** and **international standardization** (e.g., ESPO partnership) enhance its credibility for global liner services.
For the latest operational statistics and real‑time vessel schedules, consult the port’s official portal and the **MarineTraffic** database.
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*References*
1. UN/LOCODE CNSDG – United Nations Economic Commission for Europe↗
2. [China Port Statistics Yearbook 2023 – National Bureau of Statistics of China]
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CNSDG
Country
China
Province / Region
Guangdong
Latitude
21.520000
Longitude
111.000000
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Shuidong Port?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Shuidong Port is CNSDG.
Where is Port of Shuidong Port located?
The Port of Shuidong Port is located in China, Guangdong. Its coordinates are 21.5200°N, 111.0000°E.
What time zone is Port of Shuidong Port in?
Port of Shuidong 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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