UN/LOCODE: CNSHK📍 China

Port of Shekou Port (UN/LOCODE CNSHK)

❖ Coordinates: 22.4800°N, 113.9200°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai

❖ UN/LOCODE: CNSHK

## About the Port Shekou Port (UN/LOCODE: **CNSHK**) is a strategically positioned deep‑water gateway on the southern coast of China, falling within the administrative boundaries of **Shenzhen, Guangdong Province**. Situated at **22.48° N, 113.92° E** and operating on **Asia/Shanghai** time (UTC +8), the port serves as the maritime gateway for the Shekou‑Gaoxin (High‑Tech) area, a key sub‑district of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Shekou’s location on the eastern edge of the Pearl River Estuary provides immediate access to the South China Sea, the broader East Asian maritime network, and the maritime Silk Road. The port is managed by **Shenzhen Port Group Co., Ltd.**, which also oversees the neighboring Yantian and Chiwan terminals, enabling coordinated berth allocation, customs clearance, and hinterland connectivity for a combined cargo throughput exceeding **400 million TEU** annually. ### Key Identifiers | Attribute | Detail | |-----------|--------| | **UN/LOCODE** | CNSHK | | **Geographic Coordinates** | 22.48 N, 113.92 E | | **Timezone** | Asia/Shanghai (UTC +8) | | **Port Authority** | Shenzhen Port Group | | **Primary Service** | Container, Ro‑Ro, bulk, and offshore support vessels | | **Operating Hours** | 24 h, 365 days (subject to weather & security) | > *For the latest UN/LOCODE specifications, see the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) database* (link)↗. --- ## History Shekou Port’s origins trace back to the early **1970s**, when the Chinese government initiated a series of coastal‑development projects aimed at attracting foreign direct investment. The first modest jetties served fishing fleets and limited cargo vessels. - **1979–1985:** Following the establishment of the Shenzhen SEZ, Shekou was earmarked for a **foreign‑trade zone**. The first container crane was installed in 1982, marking the transition from a mixed‑use harbor to a dedicated container terminal. - **1992:** The port was officially designated a **national deep‑water port** after dredging operations deepened the approach channel to 12 m, allowing Panamax‑size vessels. - **2005–2010:** A major expansion, financed jointly by the Shenzhen municipal government and private investors, added a **post‑Panamax terminal** and integrated state‑of‑the‑art terminal operating systems (TOS). - **2014:** Shekou became the pilot site for **Shenzhen’s “Smart Port” initiative**, introducing automated guided vehicles (AGVs), RFID‑based yard management, and IoT sensors for real‑time cargo visibility. - **2020‑Present:** In response to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Shekou upgraded its berths to accommodate **New‑Panamax (13.5 m draft)** ships and began offering **green‑port services** such as shore‑power supply and low‑sulfur bunker fuel options. These milestones have cemented Shekou’s role as a **gateway for high‑tech manufacturing**, especially for electronics, telecommunications equipment, and emerging sectors such as electric‑vehicle (EV) components. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities Shekou Port combines robust physical infrastructure with cutting‑edge digital systems, achieving high berth productivity (average **35 moves per hour**) and short vessel turnaround times (≈ 12 hours for a fully laden container ship). ### Berths & Waterway Depth | Berth Type | Number | Maximum Vessel Size | Draft (m) | |------------|--------|---------------------|-----------| | **Post‑Panamax** | 4 | 13,000 TEU | 13.5 | | **Panamax** | 6 | 5,000 TEU | 12.0 | | **Ro‑Ro** | 2 | Roll‑on/roll‑off ships (up to 30,000 t) | 11.5 | | **Bulk** | 2 | Dry bulk carriers (up to 60,000 t) | 12.0 | A continuous dredging program maintains the channel depth, ensuring **all‑weather accessibility**. ### Cargo Handling Equipment - **Super‑post‑Panamax gantry cranes** (4×, 24 m outreach, 25 t lifting capacity) - **Rail‑mounted gantry cranes (RMG)** (8×, for block‑train operations) - **Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)** (24 units, 24/7 operation) - **High‑capacity rubber‑tyred gantry (HRG) cranes** (12×) for container stacking up to 12 m. ### Yard Layout & Storage - **Total container yard area:** 1.8 million m² - **Ground‑level storage capacity:** 210,000 TEU - **Stacked height:** up to 12 containers (≈ 80 m) with an average **stack turnover** of 92 days. Shekou incorporates a **Cold‑Chain Zone** equipped with temperature‑controlled sheds (− 30 °C to + 30 °C) to support pharmaceutical and perishable goods logistics. ### Intermodal Connectivity | Mode | Description | |------|-------------| | **Rail** | Direct link to the **Guangzhou–Shenzhen Railway**, enabling 24‑hour container train services to the inland logistics hub of Guangzhou. | | **Road** | Proximity to **G4 Beijing‑Hong Kong Expressway**, with dedicated freight lanes and an on‑site customs inspection terminal. | | **Air** | 15 km from **Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport**, facilitating air‑sea multimodal shipments. | | **Inland Waterway** | Access to the Pearl River network, supporting barge transport of bulk commodities to Guangdong’s interior industrial zones. | ### Digital & Green Initiatives - **Port Community System (PCS):** A cloud‑based platform integrating customs, shipping agents, and terminal operators for electronic data interchange (EDI). - **IoT‑enabled cargo monitoring:** Real‑time temperature, humidity, and location tracking for high‑value freight. - **Shore‑Power (cold ironing):** 8 berths equipped with 11 kV, 50 Hz supply, reducing ship emissions while docked. - **Zero‑Emission Vehicles (ZEV) fleet:** AGVs and yard tractors powered by lithium‑ion batteries, contributing to Shenzhen’s carbon‑neutral goals. --- ## Economic Importance Shekou Port is a **linchpin of the Greater Shenzhen economic cluster**, underpinning export‑oriented manufacturing, high‑tech R&D, and emerging service sectors. ### Cargo Throughput - **Annual container volume (2023):** ≈ 5.4 million TEU - **Non‑container cargo:** ≈ 12 million t (including steel coil, electronics components, and petrochemicals) The port’s **value‑added logistics services**—such as cargo consolidation, packaging, and quality inspection—enable Shenzhen firms to meet **OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) compliance standards** for North American and European markets. ### Employment & GDP Contribution - **Direct employment:** ~ 4,800 port staff, terminal operators, and auxiliary services. - **Indirect employment:** > 30,000 jobs in logistics, freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and ancillary manufacturing. - **GDP impact:** Estimated **¥ 150 billion** (≈ US $22 billion) contribution to Guangdong’s regional GDP, representing roughly **3 %** of the province’s total maritime‑related output. ### Strategic Role in the Belt and Road Initiative Shekou serves as a **south‑north conduit** for the Maritime Silk Road, handling outbound shipments to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe while receiving inbound raw materials for the Shenzhen high‑tech supply chain. Its proximity to the **Shenzhen Free Trade Zone (FTZ)** allows for seamless customs clearance and duty‑free processing, reinforcing China’s “One Port, Two Routes” policy that links the **China‑Europe Railway Express** with maritime services. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo Shekou’s route network reflects its **dual‑focus on high‑tech exports and bulk imports**. ### Primary Export Corridors | Destination Region | Main Products | Typical Vessel Type | |--------------------|--------------|---------------------| | **North America (Los Angeles, Long Beach, Seattle)** | Consumer electronics, smartphones, LED components | New‑Panamax Container Ships | | **Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp)** | Telecom equipment, medical devices, EV batteries | Ultra‑Large Container Vessels (ULCV) | | **Southeast Asia (Singapore, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City)** | Finished goods, packaging, automotive parts | Feeder vessels (2,000–3,500 TEU) | ### Primary Import Corridors | Origin | Main Imports | Transport Mode | |--------|--------------|----------------| | **Australia** | Iron ore, bauxite, LNG | Bulk carriers (Capesize) | | **Middle East** | Crude oil, petrochemical feedstock | Oil tankers (Suezmax) | | **Japan & South Korea** | Semiconductor wafers, precision tools | Container ships (Post‑Panamax) | ### Specialized Cargo - **Cold‑Chain Goods:** Vaccines, biologics, and fresh produce processed through the dedicated temperature‑controlled zones. - **Project Cargo:** Large‑scale offshore wind turbine components and heavy machinery handled via the **Ro‑Ro** and **Heavy‑Lift** berths. - **Automotive Parts:** High‑value EV battery packs and drivetrain modules shipped under strict security protocols. ### Emerging Trade Patterns Since 2021, Shekou has seen a **15 % increase in intra‑regional ASEAN trade**, driven by the **Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)**. Additionally, the port’s **green‑port services** have attracted European shippers seeking low‑carbon logistics solutions, prompting the launch of a **Carbon‑Neutral Shipping Corridor** to Rotterdam in 2024. --- *Shekou Port exemplifies the modern, high‑efficiency container hub needed for China’s export‑driven economy while simultaneously supporting the country's strategic shift toward sustainable, diversified maritime trade.*

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

CNSHK

Country

China

Province / Region

Guangdong

Latitude

22.480000

Longitude

113.920000

Timezone

Asia/Shanghai

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Shekou Port?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Shekou Port is CNSHK.

Where is Port of Shekou Port located?

The Port of Shekou Port is located in China, Guangdong. Its coordinates are 22.4800°N, 113.9200°E.

What time zone is Port of Shekou Port in?

Port of Shekou 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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