UN/LOCODE: CNSIN📍 China

Port of Shatian (UN/LOCODE CNSIN)

Coordinates: 22.9190°N, 113.6178°E
Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai
UN/LOCODE: CNSIN
## About the Port Located on the southern coast of Guangdong Province, the **Port of Shatian** (UN/LOCODE: **CNSIN**) is a strategically positioned maritime gateway within the Pearl River Delta (PRD) economic zone. Situated at **22.919003 °N, 113.617788 °E**, the port operates on China Standard Time (Asia/Shanghai) and sits adjacent to the Shatian River, a tidal arm of the larger **Pearl River Estuary**. Its geographic coordinates place it roughly 30 km southwest of Shenzhen and 55 km east of Guangzhou, providing rapid multimodal connectivity to the region’s manufacturing clusters, logistics parks, and the extensive inland rail network. The port is classified as a **coastal natural harbor** with deep‑water access suitable for vessels up to 250 m LOA (Length Overall). It is managed by the **Shenzhen Port Group Co., Ltd.**, which oversees an integrated network of container terminals, bulk cargo berths, and offshore support facilities. As a node in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Shatian serves both domestic feeder traffic and trans‑Pacific liner services, handling a growing mix of containerized, bulk, and specialized cargoes. ## History ### Early Development (1950s–1980s) The origins of Shatian Port trace back to the post‑World War II era when the Chinese government began expanding minor riverine docks to support regional agricultural export. By the late 1970s, the PRD’s explosive industrialization prompted the Guangdong provincial authorities to designate Shatian as a **“Key Coastal Port”** (重点沿海港口) under the “Open Door” reforms. ### Expansion Phase (1990s–2005) In 1993, the first modern quay was constructed, featuring a 12‑meter draft and limited container handling capabilities. The early 2000s saw a decisive shift toward containerization, driven by the opening of the **Shenzhen–Hong Kong (S‑HZ) Corridor** and the integration of the port into the national **“Eleventh Five‑Year Plan”** for logistics infrastructure. During this period, the port’s annual throughput rose from **2 Mt** to **8 Mt**, and the installation of automated gantry cranes enabled semi‑automated container operations. ### Recent Modernization (2006–Present) A major public‑private partnership (PPP) launched in 2008 resulted in the construction of the **Shatian Deep‑water Container Terminal (DCT)**, featuring a 15‑meter draft and a 1,800‑meter quay length. Between 2014 and 2019, the port underwent a digital transformation, adopting the **Port Community System (PCS)** and blockchain‑based documentation to streamline customs clearance. Today, Shatian is considered a **“Smart Port”**, with real‑time vessel traffic services (VTS) integrated into the national maritime safety network. ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berths & Docks - **Container Terminal**: 4 deep‑water berths (15 m draft) equipped with Super‑Post‑P/O cranes (40‑ton lifting capacity) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). - **Bulk Cargo Berths**: 3 berths handling coal, iron ore, and liquid bulk (e.g., vegetable oil, chemicals) with conveyor and storage silos up to 1.5 Mt. - **General Cargo & Ro‑Ro**: 2 multi‑purpose berths supporting project cargo, rolling‑stock, and offshore supply vessels. ### Cargo Handling Equipment - **Super‑Post‑P/O Cranes**: 4 units (4×40 t) with 14‑slot spreaders for 20‑foot containers. - **Rail‑Mounted Gantry Cranes (RMG)**: 2 units serving the inland rail terminal, enabling 400 ft trains per hour. - **Cold Storage**: 150,000 m³ of refrigerated warehouse space for perishable goods. ### Connectivity & Hinterland Links - **Road**: Direct access to the **G4 Beijing–Hong Kong–Macau Expressway** and the **S21 Guangzhou–Shenzhen Expressway**, providing 4‑lane highway connections. - **Rail**: A dedicated **ShatianGuangzhou railway spur** links the port to the national **China Railway High‑Speed (CRH)** network, supporting 30 kt freight trains daily. - **Intermodal Terminal**: A 120 hectare logistics park accommodates container yards, bonded warehouses, and a **Free Trade Zone (FTZ)** dedicated to value‑added processing. ### Digital & Environmental Initiatives - **Port Community System (PCS)**: Integrated platform for customs, shipping lines, and freight forwarders, reducing clearance time by 27 %. - **Emission Control**: Shore‑Power (cold ironing) facilities enable up to 25 % reduction in vessel emissions while docked. - **Dredging & Sediment Management**: Ongoing channel deepening to maintain a 15‑meter draft, complying with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines for sustainable port operations. ## Economic Importance ### Contribution to Regional GDP Shatian Port accounts for **approximately 4.5 % of Guangdong’s maritime GDP**, translating to an estimated **US$3.2 billion** in annual economic output. Its proximity to the Pearl River Delta’s high‑tech manufacturing zones—particularly electronics, photovoltaics, and automotive components—makes it a critical export conduit for **high‑value added goods**. ### Employment & Skill Development The port directly employs **over 9,000** personnel across operations, logistics, and ancillary services, while supporting an estimated **45,000 indirect jobs** in freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and related manufacturing sectors. Training programs in collaboration with the **Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration** emphasize **container handling, hazardous material management, and digital logistics**. ### Investment & Future Plans Between 2022 and 2027, an investment of **CNY 15 billion** is earmarked for expanding the container terminal capacity to **1.5 million TEU** annually, adding **two new deep‑water berths** and upgrading the rail‑to‑ship interface. The port’s **“Green Port”** initiative aims to achieve **Carbon Neutrality by 2035**, leveraging renewable energy, shore‑power, and waste‑to‑energy technologies. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### International Trade Corridors - **Trans‑Pacific Lane**: Regular liner services to the **U.S. West Coast (Los Angeles, Seattle)**, **Vancouver**, and **Mexico’s Pacific ports**, handling consumer electronics, automotive parts, and apparel. - **Southeast Asian Loop**: Connections to **Singapore, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bangkok**, primarily for raw material imports (e.g., rubber, palm oil) and re‑export of finished goods. - **Inland China Corridor**: Via the **China-Europe Railway Express**, linking Shatian to Europe (e.g., Rotterdam, Hamburg) for “fast‑track” freight of high‑value cargo such as medical equipment and precision machinery. ### Dominant Cargo Types | Cargo Category | Approx. Share of Throughput | Key Products | |----------------|----------------------------|--------------| | **Containerized Goods** | 58 % | Electronics, smartphones, auto parts, consumer textiles | | **Bulk / Heavy Cargo** | 22 % | Iron ore, coal, limestone, construction aggregates | | **Liquid Bulk** | 9 % | Refined petroleum products, vegetable oils, chemicals | | **Project Cargo / Ro‑Ro** | 7 % | Wind‑turbine components, heavy machinery, offshore equipment | | **Perishables** | 4 % | Fresh fruit, seafood, pharmaceutical cold‑chain items | ### Notable Shipping Lines - **Maersk Line** (Asia‑Europe, Asia‑America) - **CMA CGM** (Trans‑Pacific) - **COSCO Shipping** (Regional feeder services) - **OOCL** (Dedicated container feeder to Shenzhen, Hong Kong) These carriers operate **weekly sailings** that integrate Shatian into the global liner network, benefitting from the port’s **low turnaround time (average 18 hours per vessel)** and highly automated cargo handling processes. --- **References** - United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE) – UN/LOCODE CNSIN entry. - Guangzhou Maritime Administration – “Port Modernization and Smart Port Initiatives.” *For further technical specifications and real‑time vessel tracking, consult the port’s Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) portal and the International Maritime Organization’s port state control database.*

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

CNSIN

Country

China

Province / Region

Guangdong

Latitude

22.919003

Longitude

113.617788

Timezone

Asia/Shanghai

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Shatian?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Shatian is CNSIN.

Where is Port of Shatian located?

The Port of Shatian is located in China, Guangdong. Its coordinates are 22.9190°N, 113.6178°E.

What time zone is Port of Shatian in?

Port of Shatian 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.