Here at the Government Logistics Centre, the concept of logistics might conjure images of warehouses and trucks. However, in Shenzhen, logistics is reaching new heights. The Government Logistics Centre plays a pivotal role in this evolution.
Shenzhen is pioneering an “air-ground coordinated” smart logistics hub. This hub combines traditional methods with cutting-edge drone technology. Imagine drones soaring through the sky carrying packages. It is all happening right here.
This innovative approach is designed to significantly enhance delivery efficiency. The Government Logistics Centre is at the heart of these advancements. It integrates traditional logistics with low-altitude drone transportation. The goal? Comprehensive services for smart city operations.
Consider the Fengyi Bao’an Low-Altitude Smart Logistics Operations Center. It officially launched with a white drone carrying a 10-kilogram parcel. This marked China’s first “air-ground coordinated” smart logistics hub.
The two-story steel-structured center includes a rooftop drone takeoff/landing pad. Inside, a UAV command and dispatch center monitors real-time data. This includes flight frequency, duration, and cargo weight. Staff track UAV statuses via live feeds.
The Government Logistics Centre uses diverse drone transfer methods. Most parcels are sorted and delivered by SF Express outlets. Others are transported via automated “drone + unmanned vehicle” lockers. Some are stored in self-service pickup lockers for customer retrieval.
Chen Xiaohui, Fengyi’s Director of Drone Government Affairs, envisions a future with fully unmanned parcel delivery. As drone locker networks expand and building delivery robots scale up, this vision is becoming closer to reality.
Currently, parcels still require transfers from other Shenzhen stations. However, with operational refinements, drones could soon fly directly from Bao’an to cities like Zhuhai, Zhongshan, and Dongguan. This will establish a two-hour logistics network across the Greater Bay Area.
Shenzhen aims to become a global comprehensive logistics hub. This features a network of ocean ports, airports, rails, and roads. The city plans to establish a management service center for the global supply chain. Additionally, it will create an international transshipment center and a national logistics innovation and application center.
The Government Logistics Centre contributes to Shenzhen’s goal of reducing logistics costs. The aim is to lower costs to no more than 11% of its GDP by 2025. Shenzhen is the first city in China to prioritize modern logistics as a pillar industry.
Shenzhen’s logistics industry yielded significant added value. In 2021, it reached 308 billion yuan. This was an increase of 8.7% year on year. The total cargo throughput topped 439 million tons.
The Government Logistics Centre plays a crucial role in the city’s modern logistics system. Shenzhen is a major transportation hub and logistics center in the Asia-Pacific region. It boasts the world’s third biggest container port and Asia’s biggest land port. It also has one of the four major airports in China.
80% of the country’s supply chain enterprises base their headquarters in Shenzhen. This places the city in a leading position in the supply chain management industry. Major industrial parks include Qianhai Bay Logistics Park and Yantian Logistics Park. Local industry leaders include S.F. Express and Eternal Asia.
The logistics industry has five major advantages. A massive manufacturing system exists in Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta. Shenzhen is close to Hong Kong and Macau. It is the only city in Mainland China that borders Hong Kong by land.
With developed infrastructure, Shenzhen has formed a two-tiered transportation platform. This platform is based mainly on seaports and the airport. It is supported by highways, expressways, and trunk roads. The city is building the “two lines and two stations” proposed by the Ministry of Railways.
A modern logistics industry based on third-party logistics enterprises has taken shape. Shenzhen boasts a well-developed IT-based high-tech industry. The municipal party committee and the municipal government support the development of the logistics industry. The efficiency of customs clearance and the logistics informatization level are relatively high.
As you stand here at the Government Logistics Centre, you witness the future of logistics unfolding. Shenzhen’s commitment to innovation ensures that it will remain at the forefront of this vital industry.