UN/LOCODE: CNZSN📍 China

Port of Zhongshan Port (UN/LOCODE CNZSN)

❖ Coordinates: 22.5200°N, 113.3700°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai

❖ UN/LOCODE: CNZSN

## About the Port Zhongshan Port (UN/LOCODE: **CNZSN**) is a deep‑water, multi‑modal terminal located in the Pearl River Delta, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China. Situated at **22.52° N, 113.37° E** and operating on **Asia/Shanghai** time (UTC+8), the port lies at the mouth of the Hengsha River, an important distributary of the Pearl River system that feeds into the South China Sea. As a gateway to the economically vibrant Greater Bay Area (GBA), Zhongshan Port functions as a hub for containerized, bulk, and break‑bulk cargoes, supporting both domestic coastal traffic and long‑haul international services. Its strategic position—approximately 50 km southwest of Hong Kong and 100 km north of Macau—gives it a competitive advantage for trans‑shipment, especially for manufacturers in the adjacent industrial clusters of Zhongshan, Zhuhai, and Jiangmen. Key identifiers: | Attribute | Detail | |-----------|--------| | **UN/LOCODE** | CNZSN | | **Port Authority** | Zhongshan Port Group Co., Ltd. | | **Time zone** | Asia/Shanghai (UTC+8) | | **Coordinates** | 22.52 N / 113.37 E | | **Primary waterway** | Hengsha River (Pearl River Delta) | | **Nearby airports** | Zhongshan Sunba Airport (domestic), Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (international) | The port is integrated into the national **“13th Five‑Year Plan”** for maritime logistics, emphasizing green technology, digitalization, and multimodal connectivity. --- ## History The genesis of Zhongshan Port dates back to the late **Qing Dynasty**, when the Hengsha River served as a modest anchorage for coastal traders exporting tea, silk, and ceramics. Modern development began in the **1950s**, when the central government identified the Pearl River Delta as a key industrial corridor. * **1965‑1978** – Construction of the first berths (Berths 1–3) focused on bulk grain and coal handling, providing critical supply lines for the rapidly expanding manufacturing sector in Guangdong. * **1984** – Following China’s opening‑up policy, the port received its first joint‑venture terminal, introducing container handling equipment and pioneering the use of *Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)* in the region. * **1996** – A major dredging project deepened the navigation channel to **14 m draft**, enabling Pan‑Asia container ships (30,000‑DWT) to call directly. * **2004‑2010** – Integration with the Guangzhou‑Shenzhen high‑speed rail corridor and the construction of the **Zhongshan‑Qianhai logistic park** transformed the port into a multimodal hub. * **2015** – The port joined the **World Port Index** and began reporting to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) under the *Port State Control* regime. * **2021‑present** – Implementation of *Smart Port* initiatives, including AI‑driven yard management and renewable‑energy‑powered quay cranes, aligns the facility with China’s “Carbon Neutral by 2060” ambition. These milestones have positioned Zhongshan Port as a resilient, forward‑looking gateway that balances historic trade routes with cutting‑edge maritime technology. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berths and Draft - **Total berths:** 38 (including 12 container berths, 8 bulk cargo berths, 6 Ro‑Ro/Vehicle terminals, and 12 general cargo berths). - **Maximum draft:** **14.5 m** after the 2022 channel‑deepening project, accommodating post‑Panamax vessels up to 100,000 DWT. - **Quay length:** Approximately **7.4 km** of reinforced concrete quay wall, equipped with automated mooring systems. ### Container Handling - **Container yards:** 1.2 million TEU capacity, featuring a **high‑bay automated stacking system (AS/RS)** with a 30‑day dwell time reduction. - **Cranes:** 20 super‑post‑pandemic quay cranes (QC 45 t) and 12 mobile gantry cranes (12‑t) capable of 45‑container moves per hour. - **Gate complexes:** Two 24‑hour gated entry points integrating RFID, OCR license‑plate recognition, and real‑time traffic analytics. ### Bulk & Specialized Facilities - **Coal terminal:** 4 MT of annual throughput, equipped with high‑capacity ship loaders (15 t min⁻¹). - **Grain silos:** 250 kT storage capacity with automated conveyor belts and temperature control. - **Petrochemical terminal:** Dedicated tanker berths (draft 12 m) with vapor recovery units, complying with IMO MARPOL Annex VI standards. ### Intermodal Connectivity - **Rail:** Direct links to the Guangzhou–Zhongshan railway (electrified, 25 kV), supporting 150 kT of rail‑bound cargo daily. - **Road:** Access to the G15 Shenyang‑Haikou Expressway via the Zhongshan‑Shenzhen corridor, facilitating fast truck movement to inland logistics centers. - **Waterway:** Integration with the **Pearl River Waterway** network, enabling barge services to nearby ports such as Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Macau. ### Digital & Environmental Assets - **Port Community System (PCS):** Real‑time vessel arrival/departure, cargo status, and customs clearance data exchange, compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s **e‑Navigation** framework. - **Green initiatives:** Shore‑power (cold ironing) for vessels up to 10 MW, solar panels covering 15 % of the terminal’s electricity demand, and an on‑site wastewater treatment plant achieving ISO 14001 certification. For more technical details, see the **China Ports Database (UNCTAD)↗**. --- ## Economic Importance Zhongshan Port contributes substantially to both regional and national economies. In **2023**, the port handled **≈ 8.9 million TEU** and **≈ 35 million tons** of total cargo, representing a **3.2 %** share of Guangdong’s total maritime throughput. ### Employment and Revenue - **Direct employment:** ~4,800 staff across operations, logistics, and management. - **Indirect jobs:** Estimated 22,000 jobs in ancillary services (freight forwarding, warehousing, ship repair). - **Annual revenue:** CN¥ 12.4 billion (≈ US$ 1.8 billion), with a profit margin of 14 % attributed to high‑value container and petrochemical handling. ### Industrial Linkages The port underpins three major industrial zones: 1. **Zhongshan High‑Tech Industrial Development Zone** – exports of electronics, automotive components, and precision machinery. 2. **Zhongshan Export Processing Zone** – focused on garment and textile manufacturing, leveraging the port’s fast turnaround times. 3. **Pearl River Delta Logistics Park** – a multimodal hub that consolidates inbound raw materials and distributes finished goods throughout the GBA and inland China. ### Strategic Role - **Supply‑chain resilience:** By providing an alternative to congested Hong Kong and Shenzhen terminals, the port enhances redundancy in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) maritime corridor. - **Customs efficiency:** Integration with the national *“Single Window”* platform reduces clearance time from 36 hours (average for domestic ports) to under 12 hours for high‑priority shipments. - **Investment magnet:** Recent foreign direct investment (FDI) of **US$ 250 million** in container terminal concessions underscores confidence in the port’s governance and profitability. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### International Trade Corridors | Corridor | Key Destinations | Frequency (2023) | |----------|-------------------|------------------| | **East Asia Loop** | Shanghai, Busan, Yokohama | 112 sailings | | **Southeast Asia Axis** | Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila | 95 sailings | | **South Asia Link** | Colombo, Chennai, Karachi | 68 sailings | | **Europe‑Eastbound** | Rotterdam, Hamburg, Piraeus | 42 sailings | | **North America Route** | Los Angeles, Vancouver | 38 sailings | These routes are serviced by a mix of *Ultra‑Large Container Vessels (ULCVs)*, *Feeder ships*, and *Roll‑On/Roll‑Off* (Ro‑Ro) carriers, ensuring a balanced cargo mix. ### Principal Cargo Types | Cargo Category | Approx. 2023 Volume | Primary Export/Import Partners | |----------------|--------------------|--------------------------------| | **Containers (TEU)** | 8.9 million TEU | Exports to US East Coast, EU, Japan; Imports of electronic components from South Korea and Taiwan | | **Automobiles & Parts** | 1.3 million units | Exports to Southeast Asia; Imports from Japan and Germany | | **Petrochemicals** | 4.5 million tons | Imports of LPG and ethylene from the Middle East; Exports of refined products to domestic markets | | **Agricultural Products** | 2.1 million tons | Exports of citrus, tropical fruits to Hong Kong & Japan; Imports of soybeans from Brazil | | **Steel & Metal** | 3.7 million tons | Imports of raw steel from South Korea; Exports of fabricated metal to ASEAN nations | | **Bulk Coal** | 6.0 million tons | Imports from Australia & Indonesia for power generation in Guangdong | The cargo profile reflects Zhongshan Port’s role as a *dual‑purpose* hub—supporting high‑value manufactured goods while also handling essential bulk commodities that sustain regional energy and food security. --- **Conclusion** Zhongshan Port (CNZSN) stands as a pivotal maritime gateway within the Pearl River Delta, combining deep‑water access, state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure, and seamless multimodal links. Its evolution from a modest river anchorage to a smart, green, and economically significant hub epitomizes China’s broader maritime modernization agenda. By continuously expanding capacity, adopting digital solutions, and aligning with global sustainability standards, Zhongshan Port not only drives the prosperity of Guangdong’s industrial ecosystem but also strengthens China’s position in the competitive landscape of international shipping.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

CNZSN

Country

China

Province / Region

Guangdong

Latitude

22.520000

Longitude

113.370000

Timezone

Asia/Shanghai

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Zhongshan Port is CNZSN.

Where is Port of Zhongshan Port located?

The Port of Zhongshan Port is located in China, Guangdong. Its coordinates are 22.5200°N, 113.3700°E.

What time zone is Port of Zhongshan Port in?

Port of Zhongshan 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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