UN/LOCODE: CNYTN📍 China

Port of Yantian Port (UN/LOCODE CNYTN)

❖ Coordinates: 26.8500°N, 119.8700°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai

❖ UN/LOCODE: CNYTN

## About the Port Yantian Port, designated by the United Nations LOCODE **CNYTN**, stands as a pivotal maritime gateway within the People's Republic of China. Administratively anchored in Guangdong Province, the port operates under the Asia/Shanghai timezone (UTC+8), ensuring synchronization with the broader East Asian economic sphere. Geographically, the port is positioned at coordinates 26.85° North latitude and 119.87° East longitude, endowing it with a strategic maritime vantage point along China’s prolific southeastern seaboard. As a deep-water facility, Yantian Port is engineered to accommodate the evolving class of mega-container vessels that dominate global liner shipping networks. The port’s operational framework is intrinsically linked to China’s External Trade Oriented (ETO) economic model, serving as a critical node for the aggregation and redistribution of containerized cargo. The facility's operational parameters are calibrated to meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) emissions standards, utilizing shore power (cold ironing) at select berths to mitigate vessel auxiliary engine exhaust during cargo operations. For comprehensive global shipping statistics and port call analyses, professionals frequently reference databases such as those maintained by UNCTAD’s Transport and Trade Logistics division↗. ### Port Identity and Governance The port is governed through a hybrid regulatory structure combining provincial maritime authorities and national port administrations. Its UN/LOCODE, CNYTN, is universally recognized in Bills of Lading, manifest filings, and customs declarations, cementing its status in international trade documentation. Operational telemetry is shared with national logistics platforms to facilitate real-time supply chain visibility. ## History The historical trajectory of Yantian Port is inextricably bound to the broader economic liberalization of Guangdong Province following the inception of China's Reform and Opening-up policy. Initially conceived as a modest coastal anchorage, the site underwent systematic topographical and hydrographic assessments in the late 20th century to evaluate its viability as a deep-draft container terminal. ### Developmental Milestones During the 1990s, substantial capital infusions facilitated the construction of reinforced quay walls and the dredging of approach channels to accommodate Panamax-class vessels. By the early 2000s, Yantian Port had transitioned from a regional feeder facility into a primary load center, integrating advanced terminal operating systems (TOS) to manage escalating throughput. The port's expansion mirrored the exponential growth of Guangdong’s manufacturing output, particularly in electronics and light industry. Continuous infrastructure upgrades throughout the 2010s solidified its reputation as a technologically progressive maritime asset. ## Infrastructure & Facilities Yantian Port boasts a robust and vertically integrated infrastructure matrix designed for high-velocity cargo handling. The terminal complex features multiple deep-water berths with alongside depths capable of berthing vessels drawing up to 17 meters, a prerequisite for modern Post-Panamax and Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs). ### Quaying and Cargo Handling The port is equipped with a fleet of super-post-Panamax ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes, many featuring twin-lift capabilities and outreach exceeding 22 container rows. These are complemented by extensive arrays of rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) and automated stacking cranes within the container yards. The integration of RFID-based truck appointment systems and optical character recognition (OCR) at entry gates minimizes dwell times and enhances gate fluidity. Yard utilization is optimized through predictive analytics, allowing terminal operators to preposition containers based on imminent vessel arrivals and rail schedules. This minimizes unproductive crane moves and maximizes berth productivity, measured in gross crane rate (GCR) and ship berth hour (SBH) metrics. ### Navigational and Support Systems The approach channels are rigorously maintained and monitored via Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) protocols. Navigational aids, including differential GPS and radar installations, ensure safe transit within the 26.85°N, 119.87°E maritime quadrant. Onsite bunker fuel stations, freshwater supply, and ship repair sub-facilities further augment the port’s self-sufficiency. For ongoing technological advancements in port operations, Port Technology International↗ provides authoritative sector reporting. ## Economic Importance Yantian Port functions as a macroeconomic catalyst for Guangdong Province and the wider Pearl River Delta supply chain continuum. Its throughput directly correlates with regional export volumes, influencing provincial GDP contributions and foreign exchange accruals. The port's tariff structure remains competitive within the broader East Asian littoral, balancing state-owned enterprise oversight with market-driven terminal concessions. This hybridity ensures both strategic security and operational efficiency. ### Employment and Industrial Symbiosis The port sustains thousands of direct maritime and logistics employment positions, alongside indirect roles in trucking, warehousing, and freight forwarding. Industrial parks surrounding the port benefit from just-in-time (JIT) component delivery, fostering a dense ecosystem of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and contract electronics producers. Furthermore, the port’s efficiency in customs clearance—bolstered by single-window declaration platforms—reduces demurrage costs, enhancing the competitiveness of Chinese exports in saturated Western markets. ### Investment and Trade Facilitation By providing reliable liner connectivity, Yantian attracts foreign direct investment (FDI) into Guangdong’s Special Economic Zones. The port's capacity to handle high-value, time-sensitive cargo underpins its role in global value chains (GVCs), particularly for semiconductors and precision instruments. Multimodal linkages, including dedicated rail corridors, extend its hinterland reach deep into continental Asia. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo Yantian Port is a linchpin in several dominant maritime trade lanes, bridging Asian manufacturing hubs with consumer markets in North America, Europe, and beyond. ### Principal Shipping Lanes The trans-Pacific corridor represents a substantial volume segment, with weekly sailings to the U.S. West Coast (Los Angeles, Long Beach, Seattle) and subsequent intermodal routing to the U.S. interior. The Asia-Europe route, transiting the Suez Canal, connects Guangdong to Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Antwerp. Additionally, intra-Asian feeder services link Yantian to emerging ASEAN ports, facilitating regional production networks. ### Cargo Composition Export dominance is characterized by high-tech electronics, telecommunications equipment, household appliances, and textile aggregates. Import matrices primarily consist of base metals, industrial machinery components, and agricultural commodities. The port's cold-chain infrastructure also supports a growing volume of reefer containers, transporting perishable goods to meet rising domestic consumption in Guangdong.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

CNYTN

Country

China

Province / Region

Guangdong

Latitude

26.850000

Longitude

119.870000

Timezone

Asia/Shanghai

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Yantian Port is CNYTN.

Where is Port of Yantian Port located?

The Port of Yantian Port is located in China, Guangdong. Its coordinates are 26.8500°N, 119.8700°E.

What time zone is Port of Yantian Port in?

Port of Yantian 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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