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Source: China News Network | August 15, 2024
On August 14, the TS Bangkok, a vessel operated by TS Lines, departed from the Phase III terminal of Guangzhou’s Nansha Port at 6:00 AM, bound for Long Beach, California. This milestone marks the official launch of TS Lines’ West Coast service (AWC2) at Nansha Port, providing a new and convenient shipping option for South China’s import and export businesses to the U.S. West Coast.
A Fast and Efficient Route to the U.S. West Coast
The TS Bangkok carried approximately 300 containers loaded with goods such as refrigerators, LCD screens, and air conditioners. After departing Nansha, the cargo will arrive in Long Beach within 14 to 16 days.
“Our route’s main advantage is its short transit time and high efficiency. This requires faster customs clearance to meet the tight schedules,” explained Captain Wang Shuxiang of the TS Bangkok.
To support the new route, Nansha’s border inspection station deployed additional staff and optimized its operations. The station’s Third Duty Team coordinated with the shipping company, terminal operators, and agents to implement a streamlined process. Using drones for pre-arrival inspections and offering “online processing” for border checks, the station ensured “zero waiting” for port operations, “zero errands” for agents, and “zero delays” for departures. These measures highlight Nansha’s growing role as a hub for seamless logistics and long-distance maritime shipping.
Expanding TS Lines’ Presence in Nansha
“This is currently the only West Coast route we manage for TS Lines, and the tight schedule underscores the importance of efficiency in determining whether a shipping company invests in a route,” said Liu Wei, Deputy Manager of the Shipping Department at Guangzhou Port Zhonglian International Shipping Agency Co., Ltd.
TS Lines now operates 10 fixed shipping routes at Nansha Port, benefitting from the favorable shipping policies of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Nansha Port’s Growing Global Reach
In recent years, container throughput at Nansha Port has consistently risen, supported by advancements in intermodal sea-rail transport, large-scale logistics warehouses, Asia’s largest port-side cold storage facilities, and automated terminals.
In August 2024, Guangzhou Port signed a sister-port agreement with the Port of Long Beach, formalizing a partnership between two key players in international trade. This brings Guangzhou Port’s total number of sister ports to 60, the highest in China.
Sun Xiuqing, Party Secretary and Director of the Guangzhou Port Authority, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “The Port of Long Beach and Guangzhou Port are vital trade partners, with frequent exchanges in goods such as home appliances, hardware, timber, and chemicals. We hope to further strengthen international trade cooperation, promote regional collaboration, and ensure smooth trade channels between China and the United States.”
A Strategic Step Forward
The launch of the AWC2 West Coast route is another step forward for Nansha Port as it continues to expand its global shipping network. By connecting South China to the U.S. West Coast with faster transit times and improved logistics efficiency, Nansha is not only enhancing its competitiveness but also creating new opportunities for businesses in the Greater Bay Area.
As Nansha Port deepens its international collaborations and strengthens its infrastructure, it is poised to play an even more prominent role in global trade, further bridging China and the world.
