UN/LOCODE: CNZUH📍 China
Port of Zhuhai Port (UN/LOCODE CNZUH)
❖ Coordinates: 22.2800°N, 113.5700°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai
❖ UN/LOCODE: CNZUH
## About the Port
Zhuhai Port (UN/LOCODE: **CNZUH**) lies on the southern edge of the Pearl River Estuary in Guangdong Province, China. Situated at **22.28° N, 113.57° E** and operating on **Asia/Shanghai (UTC +8)** time, the port serves as a critical gateway for the western side of the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA). Its natural deep‑water harbor, protected by the Lingdingyang Bay, accommodates vessels up to 300 000 DWT, while a network of tidal channels connects the port to the main Pearl River navigation routes. The port’s strategic proximity—just 30 km from Macau and 70 km from Hong Kong—makes it a hub for trans‑regional logistics, offshore supply bases, and emerging cruise tourism.
The port authority, Zhuhai Port Group Co., Ltd., manages a mixed‑use complex that includes **container terminals, bulk cargo berths, automobile terminals, a dedicated cruise terminal, and a growing free‑trade zone**. Its integration with the adjacent Hengqin New Area and the Zhuhai‑Macau Bridge (opened 2018) further enhances multimodal connectivity, linking sea, road, rail, and air transport corridors across the GBA.
> *Key identifiers*:
> • **UN/LOCODE**: CNZUH
> • **Port code (IMO)**: 9216008
> • **Customs**: China Customs (Guangdong)
> • **Time zone**: Asia/Shanghai (UTC +8)
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## History
### Early Development (1970s‑1990s)
The modern incarnation of Zhuhai Port began in the late 1970s, when the Chinese government designated Zhuhai as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Initial infrastructure focused on modest fishing harbors and a handful of general cargo berths designed to support the nascent SEZ’s export‑oriented industries. By 1992, the first container quay (13 m depth) was commissioned, marking the transition from a regional feeder port to a container‑handling facility.
### Expansion Era (2000‑2010)
China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001 accelerated port investments. The **Phase I of the Zhuhai Port Container Terminal**—operated by Hong Kong‑based COSCO Shipping—opened in 2004, delivering a 1 million‑TEU annual capacity. Concurrently, the port added **bulk cargo terminals** for coal, iron ore, and liquefied natural gas (LNG), reflecting Guangdong’s growing energy demand. The construction of the **Zhuhai‑Macau Bridge** (completed 2018) necessitated dredging and realignment of navigation channels, further deepening the harbor to accommodate ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs).
### Recent Initiatives (2015‑present)
Since 2015, Zhuhai Port has pursued a **“Smart Port”** strategy leveraging IoT sensors, AI‑driven traffic management, and blockchain‑based documentation to reduce turnaround time. The port’s **Free Trade Zone (FTZ)**, launched in 2020, offers tax incentives and streamlined customs procedures, attracting high‑value electronics, pharmaceuticals, and e‑commerce logistics firms. In 2023, the port reported a **cargo throughput exceeding 310 million tonnes**, positioning it among the top 20 Chinese ports by volume.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Container Terminals
- **Terminal A (COSCO)**: 2 berths, 13 m draft, equipped with 12 Super‑Post-Panamax gantry cranes (25 m outreach), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and a 1 million‑TEU capacity.
- **Terminal B (Zhuhai Port Group)**: 3 berths, 14 m draft, featuring 8 Rail‑Mounted Gantry (RMG) cranes and a dedicated rail‑terminal capable of handling 300 k TEUs per year.
Both terminals support **24‑hour remote-control operations**, with real‑time berth allocation via a Port Community System (PCS).
### Bulk & Specialized Terminals
- **Coal & Iron Ore Berths**: 4 deep‑water berths (15 m draft) with Ship‑to‑Shore (STS) unloaders and conveyor systems delivering up to 50 Mt yr⁻¹.
- **LNG Terminal**: A 3‑berth LNG import facility with cryogenic storage (up to 5 Mt) and regasification units operated by a joint venture with Shell.
- **Automobile Terminal**: 2 berths with a roll‑on/roll‑off (RoRo) system, handling up to 500,000 vehicles annually.
### Cruise & Passenger Facilities
The **Zhuhai International Cruise Terminal** (opened 2019) boasts a 5‑star passenger terminal, 2 berths (12 m draft), and a 1 km waterfront promenade. It serves domestic cruise lines and, increasingly, international itineraries linking the GBA to Southeast Asian destinations.
### Hinterland Connectivity
- **Rail**: A 150 km double‑track railway links the port to the Guangzhou–Shenzhen railway corridor, enabling 1,200 km of inland reach to the Yangtze River Delta.
- **Road**: Direct access to the **G105, S307, and the Zhuhai‑Macau Bridge** ensures seamless freight flow to Pearl River Delta industrial parks.
- **Air**: Proximity to **Zhuhai Jinwan Airport** (12 km) supports air‑cargo integration and passenger transfers.
> For a detailed technical specification, see the **UN/LOCODE entry for CNZUH**.UN/LOCODE CNZUH↗
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## Economic Importance
### Regional GDP Contribution
Zhuhai Port contributes roughly **4.5 %** of Guangdong’s maritime trade value, translating to an estimated **¥350 billion** in annual economic output. The port’s FTZ has attracted **over 1,200 foreign‑direct investment (FDI) projects**, mainly in high‑tech manufacturing, logistics, and biopharma, creating more than **120,000 jobs** across the GBA.
### Supply‑Chain Role
- **Manufacturing**: The port supplies raw materials (iron ore, coal, LNG) to the Pearl River Delta’s heavy‑industry cluster, supporting steel, petrochemical, and automotive production lines.
- **E‑Commerce**: With the rise of cross‑border platforms such as Alibaba’s **“Global Shipping”** initiative, Zhuhai Port acts as an outbound hub for consumer electronics and apparel destined for Europe and North America.
- **Energy Security**: The LNG terminal contributes ~12 % of Guangdong’s imported natural gas, underpinning the province’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
### Strategic Position within the Greater Bay Area
Zhuhai Port’s integration with the **Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao (HZM) rail corridor** and the **Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL)** enhances its role as a **multimodal logistics node**. By offering lower berth fees and faster customs clearance than neighboring Hong Kong ports, Zhuhai increasingly attracts transshipment cargo that would traditionally route through Victoria Harbour.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Inbound Routes
- **East Asia**: Regular liner services to South Korea (Busan), Japan (Yokohama, Osaka), and Taiwan (Keelung).
- **Southeast Asia**: Direct calls from Singapore, Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City), and the Philippines (Manila).
- **Europe & North America**: Via the **Asia‑Europe Express (AEE) service**, connecting to Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Los Angeles/Long Beach (via the Pacific gateway).
### Outbound Routes
- **Domestic**: Strong north‑south flows to Shanghai, Ningbo, and Tianjin via the Yangtze River network.
- **Global**: Containerized exports to Europe, the United States, and the Middle East, facilitated by weekly services operated by major carrier alliances (e.g., **2M**, **Ocean Alliance**).
### Cargo Profile
| Cargo Type | Approx. Share of Throughput* |
|--------------------------|------------------------------|
| Containerized Goods | 38 % (≈ 190 Mt) |
| Coal & Iron Ore | 22 % (≈ 68 Mt) |
| Liquefied Natural Gas | 9 % (≈ 27 Mt) |
| Automobiles & Parts | 6 % (≈ 18 Mt) |
| Bulk Chemicals & Fertilizer | 12 % (≈ 37 Mt) |
| Cruise & Passenger Traffic | 3 % (≈ 9 Mt) |
\*Figures are based on 2023 port statistics published by the **China Ports and Harbours Association**.
### Emerging Trends
- **Cold‑Chain Logistics**: The port has invested in chilled warehouses to support the export of perishable seafood (shrimp, crab) to Japan and the EU.
- **Renewable Energy Imports**: With Guangdong’s push for green power, the upcoming **offshore wind turbine installation hub** at Zhuhai Port will handle large‑scale turbine components destined for the South China Sea wind farms.
- **Digital Trade**: Integration of the **China International Trade Single Window (CITSW)** enables electronic submission of customs documents, cutting clearance times by up to 30 %.
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*Zhuhai Port stands as a dynamic maritime gateway, blending deep‑water capability, cutting‑edge infrastructure, and strategic connectivity to sustain Guangdong’s economic momentum and the broader ambitions of the Greater Bay Area.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CNZUH
Country
China
Province / Region
Guangdong
Latitude
22.280000
Longitude
113.570000
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Zhuhai Port?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Zhuhai Port is CNZUH.
Where is Port of Zhuhai Port located?
The Port of Zhuhai Port is located in China, Guangdong. Its coordinates are 22.2800°N, 113.5700°E.
What time zone is Port of Zhuhai Port in?
Port of Zhuhai 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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