Goods are loaded onto a truck at the port. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The last container transport truck – loaded up to haul minerals from Mandula Port on March 31 – took the total shipments handled by the facility in the first quarter to 1.12 million metric tons, up 402 percent year-on-year.

Of that, 1.11 million tons of declared goods were imported, while the balance was exported from the port, located in Baotou city, in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

Since last year, the port has implemented a zero tariff policy on coal imports and further promoted reforms of its business model. It has also rolled out a convenient customs clearance service that uses a streamlined system for "advance booking + clearance with booking + centralized inspections".

In August 2022, imports and exports of mineral products in Baotou exceeded 400,000 tons for the first time. In March this year, that hit 500,000 tons, which was the highest monthly total since the opening of the port.

Moving forwards, plans are for Mandura Port to continue to increase its investment in infrastructure construction. Moreover, it will actively promote the implementation of key projects and push hard to reach its targets for goods deliveries in 2023.