中部第一省，迎来龙头大港

Core Insights - The opening of the Zhoukou Port Central Operation Area (Phase I) marks a significant milestone in the development of inland shipping in Henan Province, China, with the aim of enhancing the region's logistics capabilities and achieving its vision of "strengthening maritime development" [1][3]. Group 1: Project Overview - The Zhoukou Port Central Operation Area is the first dedicated container terminal in Henan capable of handling over one million containers, covering an area of 2,061 acres and planning for 13 berths of 2,000 tons each, with six berths operational in the first phase [1]. - The project is part of Henan's "11246" engineering goal, which aims to achieve a port throughput of over 100 million tons and an investment of 100 billion yuan by the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan [3][5]. Group 2: Strategic Importance - The Zhoukou Port is positioned as the largest and most capable inland port in the Huai River basin, addressing previous challenges such as a lack of leading enterprises and insufficient cargo collection capabilities [5]. - The port is expected to facilitate seamless connections between inland and maritime transport, enhancing Henan's role as a hub for economic corridors linking the Central Plains and the Yangtze River Delta [5][6]. Group 3: Future Development Plans - By 2030, Henan aims to establish a modern inland shipping system characterized by safety, efficiency, and sustainability, as outlined in the revised planning document for inland waterways and ports [6]. - The development of Zhoukou Port is part of a broader strategy to cultivate industrial clusters along the river, including sectors such as steel processing, equipment manufacturing, and food processing [5].