QINGDAO -- Qingdao Port in east China's Shandong Province has seen a nine percent year-on-year increase in container throughput from January to June, driven by the enhanced connectivity between ports and inland areas through China's integrated sea-rail transport network.

This growth is bolstered by the addition of 12 new international container routes, with more than half connecting Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries, which facilitate the export of Chinese-made goods, including construction machinery, household appliances, and more.

"This year, nearly 13,000 units of construction machinery have been exported, marking a 58 percent year-on-year increase. These exports are primarily destined for Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America," said Zhang Li, Director of the Second Inspection Division at the Huangdao district customs in Qingdao City.

As international shipping routes get busier and more interconnected, an increasing amount of global cargo is arriving at Qingdao Port. The integrated sea-rail transport network reduces intermediary steps, lowering both time and logistics costs, and allowing larger volumes of imported goods to be transported to inland regions.

At Qingdao Port's Sea-Rail Intermodal Center, newly arrived containers can be loaded directly onto trains without the need for on-site customs clearance.

The center has established dozens of inland ports and in the first half of the year added six new rail lines at Qingdao Port, significantly reducing transportation times.

"We have seen significant growth in Henan's capital Zhengzhou City as well as the wider province, and areas surrounding Xi'an City. Our group's strategy, along with that of Shandong Port Group, focuses on the Yellow River basin before expanding to other provinces and cities," said Xing Wei, Deputy Manager of the Sea-Rail Intermodal Center of Shandong Port Land-Sea International Logistics Group at Qingdao Port.