Six New Multimodal Transport Routes Launched in Early 2026

China's Multimodal Network Expands: Six New Corridors Open Up Cost-Saving Paths for Exporters

1) Why Multimodal Transport Is Gaining Traction

As China's export mix grows more diverse and supply chains more complex, single-mode transport (truck-only or ocean-only) often falls short on cost, speed, or cargo safety. Multimodal transport—combining rail, road, and ocean segments into a seamless door-to-port or door-to-door service—is increasingly the preferred solution for shippers looking to optimize all three.

In early 2026, major Chinese carriers expanded their multimodal networks with six new corridors, each targeting a specific industry or region. Below is a summary of what each route offers.

2) Grain Corridor: Shandong Tuanlin – Yingkou – Yunnan/Guizhou (Rail-Sea-Rail)

This corridor connects northeastern China's grain-producing regions to the southwest via Yingkou Port, using a rail-sea-rail triple-segment intermodal setup.

• End-to-end integrated service: All key links—origin consolidation, rail dispatch, port vessel allocation—are handled by a single provider, eliminating the need for shippers to coordinate multiple logistics vendors.
• Tailored cost optimization: A dedicated team designs routing and loading plans based on each client's cargo volumes and delivery schedules, minimizing total logistics spend while maintaining service quality.
• Proven capacity: The route has already completed 500 TEU empty container repositioning and 500 TEU loaded export shipments, demonstrating reliable capacity for bulk grain trade.

3) Desert Mineral Exports: Inner Mongolia Talahar – Tianjin (Rail-Sea)

Addressing the unique challenges of shipping from desert regions, this corridor uses a "bulk-to-container" conversion model to solve the cargo contamination issues common with traditional open-top wagon transport.

• Cargo quality preserved: Sealed containers replace open wagons, eliminating windblown sand contamination and significantly reducing cargo damage rates.
• Transit compressed to 3 days: Efficient matching of container supply and rail capacity cuts the inland-to-Tianjin Port transit time dramatically, helping clients accelerate inventory turnover.
• Full-service coordination: A dedicated team manages container repositioning, stuffing, rail consolidation, port handling, and ocean booking as a single integrated operation.

4) NEV Export Dedicated Line: Wuhan – Xiamen (Rail-Sea)

With China's NEV exports continuing to surge, this corridor was purpose-built for whole-vehicle export logistics, delivering breakthroughs in both safety compliance and process efficiency.

• Advanced vehicle securing: An innovative "smart cradle" restraint system with self-adjusting polyester straps and wooden chocks prevents vehicle shifting during long-haul rail transport. Full video monitoring during container stuffing, plus remote joint inspection with maritime authorities, ensures one-pass compliance clearance.
• Customs clearance in ~30 minutes: A digital platform enables real-time rail tracking and online declaration submission. Post-arrival, cargo moves through yard transfer to vessel loading seamlessly—cutting overall logistics cycle time by approximately 7 days versus conventional methods.
• 8% cost reduction: Multi-party process optimization delivers an 8% reduction in total logistics costs, while a pioneering "local supervision – remote monitoring – remote verification – yard transfer" model provides a standardized, replicable solution for inland automakers.

5) Western China Export Route: Chengdu – Qinzhou – Yangpu (Rail-Sea)

Originating from Chengdu's Chengxiang rail container terminal, this service transships at Guangxi's Qinzhou Port before sailing from Hainan's Yangpu Port—giving Sichuan and western inland manufacturers an efficient export gateway.

• Optimized routing for cost and speed: Scientifically planned transport paths control logistics costs while compressing delivery times and improving order responsiveness.
• Breaking geographic barriers: This corridor accelerates the build-out of a trade logistics network spanning Sichuan, Beibu Gulf, and Hainan, helping western enterprises overcome landlocked disadvantages and connect more easily to international markets.

6) Auto Parts to Southeast Asia: Yibin – Cambodia (Rail-Sea)

Designed specifically for automotive KD (Knocked Down) component exports to Southeast Asia, this corridor leverages Yibin Port's dedicated rail spur to enable direct loading at the port area, eliminating costly intermediate transfers.

• Fewer handling steps, lower costs: Cargo is loaded directly at Yibin Port without the previous requirement to transfer from Yibin North Station, eliminating long drayage distances and high container pickup/return costs.
• Reliable 3-day transit to ocean connection: Cargo reaches Qinzhou Port in Guangxi within 3 days for ocean connection, providing predictable timing that aligns with overseas factory assembly schedules and reduces breach-of-contract risk.
• Dedicated channel for brand expansion: As a purpose-built export artery for Yibin-manufactured products, the route's stability supports automakers seeking to deepen their Southeast Asian market presence.

7) Pearl River Delta E-Commerce: Dongguan Changping – Yantian Port (Rail-Sea)

Serving the Pearl River Delta's dense concentration of export manufacturers and cross-border e-commerce sellers, this corridor operates on a "fixed origin, fixed route, fixed schedule" block train model that extends port services directly to Dongguan Changping.

• Dramatically improved reliability: No longer dependent on weather- and traffic-affected trucking, shippers can pre-stuff containers at their own warehouses and dispatch via scheduled block trains direct to Yantian Port, with a green-channel priority at port—fundamentally eliminating delay risk.
• Port services "at your doorstep": Seamless connection from Changping station to Yantian Port cuts out intermediate transfers, reducing total logistics costs. Full real-time shipment tracking ensures precise logistics control.
• Green, efficient access to Europe and the Americas: Rail transport replaces trucking, meeting green supply chain requirements while providing stable, economical logistics support for LCL cross-border e-commerce shipments to major Western ports.

8) What These New Routes Mean for Shippers

The simultaneous launch of six corridors signals that China's multimodal infrastructure is rapidly evolving toward specialization, scenario-specific design, and end-to-end integration. For exporters and freight forwarders alike, this means:

• More logistics options: Shippers can now access tailored multimodal solutions for different commodity types, origin regions, and destination ports—beyond the traditional truck-plus-ocean model.
• Further cost reductions ahead: Rail-sea intermodal has already proven its cost advantage for medium- and long-distance hauls. These new corridors will extend that benefit to more trade lanes.
• Greater supply chain stability: Scheduled block trains with fixed departure times reduce logistics uncertainty, enabling more precise production and delivery planning.

With 25 years of international logistics expertise, Mighty Shipping can help you with:

• Multimodal transport route planning and rate consultation
• End-to-end rail-sea intermodal booking and tracking
• One-stop export customs declaration services
• Customized logistics solutions for specialized cargo (NEVs, bulk commodities, etc.)

For sailing schedules, freight quotes, or customized logistics solutions, contact Mighty Shipping—we're here to serve your global shipping needs.