UN/LOCODE: CNXAM📍 China

Port of Xiamen (UN/LOCODE CNXAM)

❖ Coordinates: 24.4798°N, 118.0894°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai

❖ UN/LOCODE: CNXAM

## About the Port Located at 24.479834 °N, 118.089425 °E on the southern coast of Fujian Province, **Port of Xiamen (UN/LOCODE: CNXAM)** is one of China’s most strategically positioned deep‑water gateways to the Pacific. Operated primarily by Xiamen Port Group Co., Ltd., the port sits in the Asia/Shanghai time zone (UTC+8) and serves the city of Xiamen, a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) that has attracted extensive foreign investment since the 1980s. The port comprises a network of container terminals, bulk‑cargo berths, and a growing network of ancillary logistics parks. Its natural shelter, combined with modern dredging programs, allows year‑round handling of vessels up to 200 000 DWT (deadweight tonnage). Xiamen’s geographic coordinates place it within a 1,500 km radius of the major East Asian manufacturing clusters of the Pearl River Delta, making it a pivotal transshipment hub for Southeast Asian and North‑American trade lanes. > **Key identifiers** – UN/LOCODE: **CNXAM** | AIS MMSI: 4121000 | Port Authority: Xiamen Port Group --- ## History ### Early Development (19th – 1930s) Xiamen’s harbor traces its commercial origins to the mid‑19th century when the Treaty of Nanking opened the city to foreign trade. The first stone pier was constructed in 1865, primarily serving tea export vessels and the occasional opium clipper. By the 1920s, the port handled a modest volume of cotton, salt, and fisheries products, establishing a modest but stable hinterland connection via the newly built railway to Zhangzhou. ### Post‑1949 Expansion Following the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the port was nationalized and integrated into the state‑run maritime system. The 1960s saw the first mechanized cargo handling equipment, while the 1980s marked a turning point with the designation of Xiamen as a SEZ. This status triggered massive infrastructure upgrades, including the construction of the first container terminal (1992) and the introduction of a modern customs clearance system. ### 21st‑Century Modernization In the early 2000s, Xiamen Port embarked on a megaproject to deepen the main shipping channel to 15 m, enabling ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs). The port also adopted the “Smart Port” paradigm, integrating AIS tracking, automated gate systems, and real‑time data analytics. By 2020, Xiamen had become the **10th‑largest container port in mainland China**, handling upwards of 10 million TEU annually. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Container Terminals - **Xiamen International Container Terminal (XICT):** Two berths (14 m–15 m draft), equipped with Ship‑to‑Shore (STS) gantry cranes (max. 22 m outreach) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). - **Xiamen Port Container Terminal (XPCT):** Four berths supporting Post‑Panamax vessels, with a combined quay length of 2.8 km. Both terminals feature **24‑hour gate operating systems**, electronic customs clearance, and integrated yard management platforms that support free‑flow of cargo. ### Bulk & General Cargo - **Coal & Iron Ore Berths:** Two deep‑draft berths (up to 18 m) with high‑capacity conveyor systems. - **Liquid Bulk:** Three dedicated terminals for crude oil, refined petroleum products, and chemicals, each fitted with double‑hull storage tanks and a total capacity of 5 million m³. ### Supporting Facilities - **Rail‑Port Intermodal Hub:** Direct connection to the Xiamen–Zhangzhou‑Fuzhou railway corridor, enabling rail‑to‑sea freight transfer within 24 hours. - **Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Logistics Parks:** Over 5 km² of bonded warehousing, cold‑chain facilities, and advanced value‑added services. - **Port‑Centric Digital Platform:** A cloud‑based portal offering vessel‑arrival forecasting, berth allocation, and cargo‑tracking APIs for shippers and logistics providers. *(For a complete technical specification, see the official port master plan available at the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China.)* --- ## Economic Importance ### Contribution to Regional GDP Xiamen Port is a key economic engine for Fujian Province, accounting for **approximately 8 % of the province’s GDP** and generating direct employment for more than 30 000 workers. The port’s logistics ecosystem supports ancillary sectors such as ship‑repair, marine equipment manufacturing, and customs brokerage, creating an estimated 120 000 indirect jobs. ### Role in the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) As a designated “hub port” under China’s Belt & Road Initiative, Xiamen serves as a launch point for maritime silk‑road routes linking Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, and East Africa. The port’s capacity to handle ULCVs and its proximity to the “21st‑Century Maritime Silk Road” make it a preferred node for Chinese exporters seeking cost‑effective trans‑Pacific shipping. ### Trade‑in‑Value Highlights (2023) | Commodity | Export Value (US$ bn) | Import Value (US$ bn) | |-----------|----------------------|-----------------------| | Electronics & Components | 28.5 | 14.2 | | Textiles & Apparel | 9.1 | 2.4 | | Automotive Parts | 4.3 | 1.8 | | Petroleum & Petrochemicals | 2.6 | 3.9 | | Agricultural Products | 1.7 | 2.1 | The port’s **container throughput** of 10.2 million TEU in 2023 represents a **3.4 % annual growth**, underscoring its resilience amid global supply‑chain disruptions. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Trans‑Pacific Corridor - **Primary North‑American Lane:** Xiamen ↔ Los Angeles/Long Beach (≈13 days transit). Handles high‑value electronics, apparel, and consumer goods destined for the U.S. market. - **South‑American Link:** Direct services to the Port of Santos (Brazil) and the Port of Buenos Aires (Argentina), primarily exporting textile fibers and importing soy‑meal. ### Intra‑Asian Network - **Southeast Asian Loop:** Frequent liner services to Singapore, Klang (Malaysia), and Manila (Philippines). The loop facilitates the exchange of electronic components, automotive parts, and raw materials. - **East Asian Hub:** Connections to Shanghai, Ningbo, and Kaohsiung (Taiwan) enable cargo consolidation for onward distribution to inland Chinese markets via high‑speed rail. ### Key Cargo Profiles | Cargo Type | Typical Vessel Size | Primary Origin/Destination | |------------|--------------------|----------------------------| | **Containerized Consumer Electronics** | 20 000‑TEU ULCV | Export to North America & Europe | | **Automotive & Parts** | 10 000‑TEU Panamax | Export to Southeast Asia, import of components from Japan/Korea | | **Bulk Coal & Iron Ore** | 150 000‑DWT Bulk Carrier | Import from Australia, Indonesia | | **Petrochemical Products** | 70 000‑DWT Tanker | Import of crude, export of refined fuels | | **Agricultural Produce (Fresh & Frozen)** | 10 000‑TEU Reefer | Export of fruits to EU, import of wheat from the U.S. Midwest | The **intermodal efficiency** of Xiamen’s rail‑port connections reduces inland haulage time to less than 12 hours for major Chinese inland cities such as Wuhan, Chengdu, and Chongqing, reinforcing the port’s role as a **logistics gateway for Central China**. --- ### Outlook Looking ahead, Xiamen Port is investing in **green‑port initiatives**, including shore‑power installations for docked vessels, a pilot hydrogen‑fuel cell forklift fleet, and an ambitious target to cut CO₂ emissions by 30 % by 2035. Coupled with ongoing capacity expansions—such as the forthcoming “Phase III” container terminal projected to add 5 million TEU of annual capacity—the port is poised to retain its status as a **critical node in global maritime trade** and a catalyst for Fujian’s continued economic diversification. *For further technical details and real‑time vessel traffic, consult the International Maritime Organization’s Port State Control database and the official Xiamen Port Group website.*

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

CNXAM

Country

China

Province / Region

Fujian

Latitude

24.479834

Longitude

118.089425

Timezone

Asia/Shanghai

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Xiamen?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Xiamen is CNXAM.

Where is Port of Xiamen located?

The Port of Xiamen is located in China, Fujian. Its coordinates are 24.4798°N, 118.0894°E.

What time zone is Port of Xiamen in?

Port of Xiamen 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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