Jining in Shandong province is emerging as a key inland shipping hub in the north of China. Leveraging its location along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Jining has set goals to transform itself into a major shipping center by 2030, hoping to boost regional economic growth and facilitate domestic and international trade.

In July, the city's Longgong Port achieved a record monthly container throughput of 35,800 TEUs, marking a significant milestone in its development. The port has also integrated with the national railway network, enabling seamless multimodal transportation and enhancing its connectivity. Additionally, the port has launched new services, such as cold-chain logistics and futures steel delivery, further expanding its capabilities.

Jining's shipping industry is supported by strong policy backing from the provincial government, which aims to develop a comprehensive inland port and waterway system. The city's strategic location, cost-effective transportation options, and integration of port, industry, and urban development provide a solid foundation for its growth.

The Longgong Port in Jining, Shandong province. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_ccfd1293bad8]

In 2024, Jining's port cargo throughput exceeded 96 million metric tons, maintaining a growth rate of over 30 percent for three consecutive years. In the first half of 2025, the city's ports completed a cargo throughput of 55.75 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 10.4 percent.

By 2027, Jining plans to achieve a port cargo throughput of 150 million tons and a container throughput of 1 million TEUs. By 2030, these figures are expected to reach 200 million tons and 1.5 million TEUs, respectively.