The groundbreaking ceremony for the Shenzhen International Foshan Gaoming Fuwan Wharf Project took place on August 22. The official start of construction marks a new milestone in the development of Foshan's Xijiang River shipping infrastructure, injecting core momentum into regional industrial upgrading, logistics efficiency improvement, and economic growth.

Building a Lighthouse Benchmark Port for Bulk & General Cargo on the Xijiang River

The Shenzhen International Foshan Gaoming Fuwan Wharf Project is a major port infrastructure initiative jointly developed by Shenzhen International Holdings Co., Ltd. ("Shenzhen International"), the Foshan Municipal Government, and the Gaoming District Government. It is also the first project in the Greater Bay Area under Shenzhen International's port network expansion strategy.

Adjacent to the superior main channel of the Xijiang River, the project boasts excellent hydrological and navigational conditions and a uniquely advantageous location. With a total investment of approximately RMB 1 billion, the project plans to construct two new 3,000-tonne-class general-purpose berths (designed to accommodate 5,000-tonne-class vessels structurally), supported by a land area of 163 mu (approx. 10.9 hectares). Positioned as a regional public bulk and general cargo terminal, the wharf will primarily handle steel products and aggregates, while also accommodating grains, powders, tonne bags, and other bulk commodities. It is expected to officially commence operations in 2027.

Since the project's inception, provincial, municipal, and district government departments have provided proactive, coordinated front-line services, advancing planning, land use, environmental impact assessment, and other approval processes in a coordinated manner. All pre-construction formalities were efficiently completed, transforming the project from a cooperation agreement to a construction reality in record time. This serves as a vivid illustration of the synergy between "Shenzhen speed" and "Foshan efficiency," and a direct testament to Foshan and Gaoming's sustained efforts to optimize the business environment and deliver attentive services to market entities.

Upon completion, the project will further improve the regional port collection and distribution system, effectively reduce logistics costs for local enterprises, promote the transition from traditional road freight to combined road-water transport, and foster the agglomeration and development of port-side manufacturing and logistics industries. Together with major transport infrastructure such as the new Guangzhou Airport and the Guangzhou-Zhanjiang Railway, it will help build a three-dimensional "airport–railway–port" transport network, drive port-industry-city integrated development, and provide solid logistics support for the emergence of Foshan's western economic hub.

Integrated Transport System Supports Leading State-Owned Enterprise's Deep Roots in Gaoming

The Xijiang River, the largest tributary of the Pearl River system and ranking second in China in terms of shipping volume, is a key waterway for Foshan to connect with the Xijiang basin, the Beibu Gulf, and ASEAN markets. Currently, Foshan is actively integrating into the development of a world-class port cluster in the Greater Bay Area, promoting river-sea intermodal and multimodal transport, and accelerating its construction as a national comprehensive transport hub to provide strong support for high-quality development.

In recent years, Gaoming has adhered to a strategy of "strengthening the district through transport and revitalizing the district through industry." Leveraging the 18-kilometer "golden waterway" of the Xijiang River, it has made inland river port construction a key lever to address logistics shortcomings and empower the real economy. In 2025, the district's total port cargo throughput reached 17.9216 million tonnes, a year-on-year increase of 11.99%, and container throughput reached 535,300 TEU, up 8.51% year-on-year—both hitting ten-year highs.

After its commissioning, the Shenzhen International Foshan Gaoming Fuwan Wharf Project will leverage Shenzhen International's port network layout and full-chain bulk commodity port supply chain service advantages, while also coordinating with the company's smart logistics park projects in Foshan. This will continuously enhance the efficiency and quality of local logistics services, help Gaoming accelerate its integration into the Greater Bay Area, and support the district in becoming a new regional modern logistics hub.