On 9 January 2018, PSA co-hosted the inaugural STC roadshow in Chongqing together with partners, Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group and Pacific International Lines. Testament to the strong support for STC, attendees comprised delegates from key government agencies of both Singapore and China, as well as over 200 members from the shipping community including shipping lines, freight forwarders and shippers.

Aimed at enhancing the logistics network of Western China, STC is an integral part of the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative between Singapore and China as well as China’s Belt and Road Initiative towards developing an enhanced logistics and transportation model.

The STC facilitates multimodal operations through a rail network linking inland areas of China such as Chongqing, Chengdu and Lanzhou to Beibu Gulf-PSA International Container Terminal in Qinzhou (Southwestern China), with subsequent sea connections to PSA terminals in Southeast Asia. This complements PSA’s investment in the China United International Railway Container (CUIRC) terminals. The rail/sea multimodal connectivity provides significant benefits for shipping lines and shippers alike, such as transit time savings of two weeks or more, cost certainty through a regular and reliable logistics route and seamless connections at various PSA ports.

Feedback from the participants of the roadshow was positive, with many sharing on the timeliness of the initiative to offer an efficient alternative to the current mode of barging cargo via the Three Gorges Dam. Guests highlighted that the roadshow was well-organised, allowing them ample opportunity to network and express their expectations on the STC through roundtable discussions. IBM was also present to showcase how blockchain-based supply chain solutions can help address inefficiencies and gaps in the current complex supply chain network, connecting physical flow with secured documentation.

This is only the beginning, as the STC team aims to promote the trade route through active engagement of shipping lines, freight forwarders and shippers.