With the growth of China's grain import demand and the shift in logistics needs of agricultural enterprises, COSCO Shipping is gradually changing the traditional bulk transportation pattern in the Northeast region through container transportation. According to data from the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, since 2024, the proportion of grain container transportation in the Northeast region has increased from 20% in the past to 50%.

In the past, as much as 80% of the grain in the Northeast region was transported by bulk carriers. However, in recent years, the needs of many small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises have changed. A senior executive of COSCO Shipping said: "Now, logistics costs are not just freight, but also include punctuality, reliability and service quality. The cargo volume of many small agricultural enterprises is not enough to support the cost of bulk carriers, especially when it is necessary to distribute goods to all parts of the country, container transportation has become a more economical and practical choice."

Take Jiamusi, the largest grain-growing city in Heilongjiang Province, as an example. The city's total grain output in 2024 exceeded 11 million tons. To solve the grain transportation problem in this area, Shanghai Pan Asia Shipping, a subsidiary of COSCO Shipping, cooperated with the Dalian branch to provide "rail-sea intermodal" services for agricultural enterprises in Jiamusi. Through this model, grain is transported from Jiamusi to Dalian and then distributed to all parts of the country by sea.

At present, the Dalian branch of COSCO Shipping has opened 32 import and export rail-sea intermodal channels and set up 88 container pick-up and return points to provide efficient and convenient logistics services for agricultural enterprises.

Senior executives of COSCO Shipping pointed out that with the increase of China's grain imports and the impact of global geopolitics, the grain trade pattern is changing. "Under this background, agricultural enterprises not only need to ensure stable supply, but also need to provide better logistics services for downstream customers. Therefore, stable, efficient and low-loss logistics models have become the core needs of customers."

Through containerized transportation and "rail-sea intermodal" solutions, COSCO Shipping has not only reduced transportation costs, but also improved the reliability and flexibility of logistics, injecting new vitality into China's grain industry chain.