UN/LOCODE: CNYIC📍 China

Port of Yichang (UN/LOCODE CNYIC)

❖ Coordinates: 30.7000°N, 111.2800°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai

❖ UN/LOCODE: CNYIC

## About the Port The Port of Yichang (UN/LOCODE: CNYIC) stands as a pivotal inland river port strategically situated on the Yangtze River in Hubei Province, People's Republic of China. Located at approximately 30.7° N latitude and 111.28° E longitude, within the Asia/Shanghai timezone, it serves as an indispensable transportation and logistics hub for central China. Its critical position downstream from the Three Gorges Dam positions it as an essential node for managing upstream and downstream cargo flows, connecting the economically vibrant upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River to the eastern coastal areas. The **Port of Yichang** is integral to facilitating regional trade, supporting the robust industrial and agricultural output from Hubei and surrounding provinces, and playing a crucial role in the broader Yangtze River Economic Belt development strategy. It acts as a multimodal gateway, linking waterway transport with extensive road and rail networks. ## History Yichang's historical significance as a trading post dates back centuries, benefiting from its advantageous natural location at the confluence of several tributaries with the mighty Yangtze River. The city gained formal prominence as a treaty port in the late 19th century, opening to foreign trade and solidifying its role as a vital transshipment point for goods moving between China's interior and international markets. The modern development of the **Yichang port** accelerated significantly in the latter half of the 20th century, spurred by China's rapid economic growth and the escalating demand for efficient inland waterway transport. The construction and subsequent operation of the Three Gorges Dam further cemented Yichang's strategic importance, transforming it into a critical logistics gateway for project cargo and a sophisticated hub for vessels navigating the dam's intricate ship lock systems. Recent decades have witnessed continuous governmental and private investment in expanding its capacity and modernizing facilities to accommodate ever-increasing cargo volumes and diversify its service offerings. ## Infrastructure & Facilities The **Port of Yichang** boasts extensive and advanced infrastructure designed for diversified cargo handling operations. It comprises several principal port areas, including Huwan, Taipingxi, Zhicheng, and the Yichang New Port (Yiling District), each specializing in different cargo types or serving specific industrial zones. Collectively, these areas feature numerous deep-water berths capable of accommodating vessels up to 5,000 DWT, with ongoing projects aimed at further channel deepening to allow for larger ship access. The navigable depth of the Yangtze River at Yichang is meticulously maintained through regular dredging, despite seasonal fluctuations in water levels. Key facilities and specialized terminals include: * **Container Cargo Terminals:** Equipped with modern gantry cranes, reach stackers, and expansive storage yards for Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), these terminals facilitate efficient intermodal transfers between waterway, road, and rail. * **Bulk Cargo Terminals:** Dedicated berths and extensive storage facilities cater to a wide range of bulk commodities such as minerals (e.g., iron ore, bauxite, phosphate rock), coal for energy production, grain, fertilizers, and construction materials. These terminals feature advanced conveyor systems, hoppers, and automated loading/unloading equipment. * **General Cargo Terminals:** Multi-purpose berths handle breakbulk items including steel products, heavy machinery, forest products, and other manufactured goods. These are supported by shore-side cranes with capacities typically ranging up to 60 tons, complemented by spacious warehouses and open storage areas. * **Liquid Bulk Terminals:** Specialized facilities, including pipelines and extensive tank farms, are dedicated to the handling and storage of petroleum products, various chemicals, and other liquid commodities, adhering to stringent safety and environmental standards. The port is seamlessly integrated with China's national road network, including major arteries like the G42 Shanghai–Chengdu Expressway and the G50 Shanghai–Chongqing Expressway, as well as key rail lines such as the Yichang–Wanzhou Railway and the Jiaozuo–Liuzhou Railway. This robust connectivity enables comprehensive multimodal transport solutions, enhancing the port's logistical efficiency. Modern logistics parks, customs clearance services, and bonded warehousing further augment its operational capabilities. ## Economic Importance The **Port of Yichang** functions as a formidable economic engine for Hubei Province and is a vital component of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, a national strategic initiative aimed at fostering coordinated development and environmental protection along the river. It serves as the primary logistical gateway for commodities produced in western Hubei and eastern Chongqing, effectively linking these industrially and agriculturally rich regions to eastern China's dynamic manufacturing hubs and international markets through efficient transshipment at major coastal ports like Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan. Major industries that critically depend on the port's services include petrochemicals, fine chemicals, metallurgy, building materials, agriculture, and burgeoning high-tech manufacturing sectors. The port facilitates both the inbound flow of essential raw materials and the outbound export of finished goods, significantly contributing to the reduction of logistics costs for regional enterprises and enhancing their competitiveness. Its role extends beyond simple cargo movement; it generates substantial regional employment, attracts significant investment in logistics and industrial parks, and strengthens the overall competitiveness of local industries by providing efficient access to broader national and global supply chains. The port's multimodal connectivity profoundly supports the growth of **Hubei logistics** networks and reinforces China's overarching inland waterway transport capabilities. For a broader understanding of China's logistics infrastructure and its impact on economic development, resources such as the World Bank's insights on China's logistics↗ provide valuable context. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo The **Port of Yichang** primarily functions as a crucial hub for domestic trade along the Yangtze River, forming a vital link in China's internal supply chains. Its main shipping routes connect Yichang upstream to the economic powerhouse of Chongqing and downstream to major urban centers and ports such as Wuhan, Nanjing, and Shanghai. Through efficient transshipment operations at these coastal gateways, cargo originating from or destined for Yichang gains seamless access to international shipping lanes, effectively linking producers and consumers in Hubei and the wider central China region to global markets. **Major cargo types efficiently handled at Yichang include:** * **Containers (TEUs):** A rapidly growing segment, supporting the diversified manufacturing base in the region with efficient, standardized multimodal transport. * **Bulk Materials:** Significant volumes of coal for power generation, iron ore and bauxite for steel and aluminum production, cement and aggregates for extensive infrastructure development, and various types of fertilizers for the agricultural sector. * **Grain:** Including rice, wheat, and corn, both incoming for processing and distribution, and outgoing to other regions of China. * **Petrochemicals:** A variety of liquid bulk products crucial for the thriving chemical industry within Hubei Province. * **General Cargo/Breakbulk:** Encompassing a wide array of goods such as steel products, heavy machinery, automobiles, timber, and specialized project cargo related to ongoing infrastructure development projects, including those associated with the Three Gorges Dam. The port plays a particularly strategic role in the energy sector, facilitating the efficient transport of coal, petroleum products, and other energy resources. Its unique geographical position relative to the Three Gorges Dam also means it handles a substantial amount of materials and equipment for ongoing maintenance, upgrading, and related industrial activities. The continuous development of its facilities, expansion of its network, and integration into national economic strategies underscore its enduring and growing importance in China's complex and dynamic logistics landscape. Further details on the Yangtze River Economic Belt initiative can be found on official Chinese government portals, such as the National Development and Reform Commission↗ website.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

CNYIC

Country

China

Province / Region

Hubei

Latitude

30.700000

Longitude

111.280000

Timezone

Asia/Shanghai

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Yichang?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Yichang is CNYIC.

Where is Port of Yichang located?

The Port of Yichang is located in China, Hubei. Its coordinates are 30.7000°N, 111.2800°E.

What time zone is Port of Yichang in?

Port of Yichang 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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