Qingdao Customs reported on March 26 that the rail-sea intermodal container volume at Qingdao Port reached 512,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in the first two months of the year, representing a year-on-year increase of 10.6%. Rail-sea intermodal transport is a core method in international logistics, where import and export goods seamlessly connect railway transport with coastal port shipping, achieving "single declaration, single inspection, and single release."

Relying on a comprehensive logistics network of "inland ports + rail-sea intermodal + international freight trains," Qingdao Port has led all Chinese ports in rail-sea intermodal container volume for 11 consecutive years. For transport distances exceeding 600 kilometers, this method offers lower costs and shorter transit times.

"Last year, we exported over 120 TEUs of goods via rail-sea intermodal, saving more than 360,000 yuan in costs," said Zhao Qiang, General Manager of Shandong Land Bridge International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. Compared to the "trucking + shipping" model, the logistics cost per container can be reduced by approximately 15% with rail-sea intermodal.

"Beyond cost savings, the stability of rail-sea intermodal is a key advantage," added Dai Xuechao, Business Department Manager of the Rail-Sea Intermodal Center at Qingdao Port International Logistics Co., Ltd. In collaboration with Qingdao Customs, the port has implemented a "direct entry and exit" operation mode, allowing goods to be loaded, unloaded, and transferred within an average of two hours after arriving at the port, with train punctuality rates maintained above 99%.

As the largest foreign trade port in northern China, Qingdao Port handles over half of the export goods from provinces such as Henan and Shaanxi. The port currently operates nearly 240 international shipping routes, the highest number among northern Chinese ports. It has also established 56 inland ports and operates 86 rail-sea intermodal train services.