Dry Port Development in China: Current Status and Future Strategic Directions

Li, Y.; Dong, Q., and Sun, S., 2015. Dry port development in China: current status and future strategic directions. Dry ports have become integral to the trade facilitation in China in the last decade. They are playing important roles in facilitating transportation for international trade and further stimulating economic development in China's central and western inland areas. However, without a clear strategic direction, the institutional and regulatory framework for dry port development is shown to be at an immature and disordered state. This paper summarizes the current status of dry port development in China. Based on this, the study proposes a new dry port development strategic layout. We conclude that the dry port development strategy in China should be shifted from the pursuit of scale to efficiency. We also point out that, in order to avoid repetitive or blind construction, the dry ports' construction plan should be integrated into the layout of the port construction planning and comprehensive transportation system planning. The governors of dry ports should have a better understanding about the trend of the dry ports development in the world. For a long-term interest, we need to absorb investment through different ways to alleviate the capital pressure. By strengthening the cooperation relationships among the local governments, customs, inspection and quarantine departments, and the logistics enterprises, an innovative service mode should be built to create the value for the enterprises. Our study could shed light on the practice of port enterprises to improve quality service for winning more customers' trust and satisfaction. The strategic directions of dry port in China are also well discussed in our study.