China has inaugurated its first railway container terminal equipped with mixed-mode autonomous driving technology, aiming to modernise logistics operations, reduce costs, and support a more intelligent, low-carbon transportation system.
The new facility, located at the Suxi container handling station in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, commenced operations on 27 June. The launch was marked by the departure of a freight train carrying 100 standard containers bound for the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, the world’s busiest cargo hub by tonnage, according to the Hangzhou Railway Logistics Center of the China Railway Shanghai Bureau Group.
A strategic logistics link
As part of the wider Yiwu (Suxi) International Hub Port initiative, the Suxi terminal connects directly with the Ningbo-Jinhua Railway and is designed to handle up to 660,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually. The facility includes a dedicated rail loading zone, a container yard, a customs supervision area, and a digital logistics management system to streamline cargo movement.
Crucially, the Suxi station has been approved as China’s first experimental zone for autonomous operations within a railway yard. The project integrates remote-controlled gantry cranes, automated storage systems, and intelligent transporters, all of which support unmanned operations that coexist with manual workflows.
According to industry officials, this hybrid approach marks a significant milestone in China’s logistics development, particularly in efforts to blend automation with operational flexibility.
“This sets a new standard for autonomous operations in China’s railway network,” said Li Jinsong, deputy director of the Hangzhou Railway Logistics Center. “The mixed-mode design allows for seamless integration of automated and manual processes, enhancing efficiency while ensuring operational flexibility.”
Port-level services inland
The Suxi terminal plays a central role in linking inland manufacturing and commercial centres with China’s maritime gateways. Zhao Jianmin, general manager of Zhejiang Seaport Yiwu Hub Port Co., Ltd, noted that the facility enables “one-time declaration, inspection, and release” procedures, allowing cargo to be processed as though it had already reached the port.
“By establishing a logistics corridor connecting Yiwu and Ningbo-Zhoushan, the terminal significantly reduces both transit times and costs,” Zhao said.
This setup means that goods entering Suxi can be processed under the same customs framework as at the seaport, accelerating the export process and reducing administrative bottlenecks. The model not only streamlines operations but also supports China’s ambition to develop smart, resilient, and integrated transport infrastructure that enhances domestic and international trade.
A smarter transport network
China has been actively investing in logistics modernisation as part of broader national goals to improve supply chain performance, cut emissions, and build digital infrastructure. The integration of automation within rail freight terminals aligns with policy objectives to create a multi-modal, high-efficiency transport system.
The deployment of mixed-mode autonomous capabilities in Suxi offers a scalable solution for future terminals across the country. Officials suggest it could serve as a blueprint for similar developments in other strategic inland hubs, helping to unlock faster trade flows and greater connectivity between ports and production regions.
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