US logs dominate shipments through Yantian port – According to the Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, log imports through Yantian Port in Shenzhen City were 961,900 cubic metres valued at US$203 million between January and October this year. This represents a 54% increase in the volume of deliveries. Some 85% of all log shipments arriving at the port were from the US.

In order to efficiently clear imported logs the number of sites for inspection and treatment at Yantian Port increased to 320 from 60. The speed at which logs could be fumigated and cleared was shortened saving money for importers.

New wood product trading centre – The Chongqing Traffic and Transportation Group has invested RMB2.5 billion to establish an international wood products trading centre in the Jiangjin Comprehensive Bonded Zone in Chongqing municipality. This is the third Special Customs Supervision Zone in Chongqing municipality.

The centre has an online trading platform for wood products such as logs, sawnwood, wood-based panels, wood pulp. The wood products trading centre will service western China.

Currently, timbers used for processing in the Chongqing region are sourced mainly from Zhangjiagang in Jiangsu province so transport costs are high. Transportation costs will be lowered when the trading centre in Chongqing municipality is in full operation.

The Jiangjin Comprehensive Bonded Zone was established on 17 January 2017 and is located on Jiangjin Luohuang Industrial Park.

The centre covers an area of 2.2 square kilometres and is well placed combining port, road and rail links and will become an important centre in the Yangtze River Economic Belt as it links Chongqing, Kunming and the Tran-Asia Railway the starting point for the China/Europe International Railway Corridor.

Source: ITTO TTM Report