Promoting the Development of a World-Class Port Cluster: Hebei’s 15th Five-Year Plan Issued

　　On April 28, the "15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of Hebei Province" (referred to as the "Plan Outline") was officially issued. The "Plan Outline" specifies the need to promote the construction of a world-class port cluster, continuously advance port transformation and upgrading, optimize port functional layouts, and systematically promote the construction of specialized berths for coal, crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), ore, and containers.

　　To promote high-quality economic development along the coast and advance the open development of ports, the "Plan Outline" proposes accelerating the construction of terminals and port-related railways, highways, and pipelines, expanding trade between ports and their hinterlands, and ensuring port capacity meets hinterland demands. It aims to enhance container transportation, sea-rail intermodal transport, ocean shipping, and port and shipping services, increase domestic trade routes, expand near and far ocean routes, and create a port and shipping economic ecosystem. It also seeks to promote the coordinated development of the Xiong'an area of the China (Hebei) Pilot Free Trade Zone with Cangzhou and to build high-quality key national cooperation parks in coastal areas.

　　In terms of deeply integrating into the high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative, the "Plan Outline" specifies supporting Qinhuangdao Port, Tangshan Port, and Huanghua Port in opening and increasing container domestic and international trade routes and liner services, expanding the coverage of the "Air Silk Road" at Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport, and facilitating global international corridors. It aims to strengthen and expand Shijiazhuang International Land Port, enhance the construction of the Shijiazhuang China-Europe (Asia) freight train assembly center, promote the addition of overseas points and route extensions, increase the frequency and quality of China-Europe (Asia) freight trains, deepen strategic cooperation with coastal ports and the Western Land-Sea New Corridor, and create a new highland for opening up.

　　To promote high-quality development of the marine economy and create a growth pole for maritime development and strength, the "Plan Outline" requires consolidating and enhancing the marine equipment manufacturing industry, including marine vessels and deep-sea mineral resource development equipment. It focuses on developing high-end and electric ships, promoting the localization of key components in the shipbuilding industry chain, cultivating a full industry chain for ship development, design, and construction, and advancing the technological development and equipment manufacturing of deep-sea mineral resources. It also aims to develop coastal tourism, support Qinhuangdao in hosting international sailing events, vigorously develop maritime cruise and yacht tourism projects, and create distinctive marine tourism destinations. Additionally, it seeks to develop modern shipping services and enhance the comprehensive service functions of coastal ports, including loading, unloading, warehousing, transportation, and customs clearance.