Core Viewpoint - Sichuan officially enters the "one province, one port" era with the establishment of Sichuan Port Investment Port Group Co., Ltd, aiming to enhance its inland waterway shipping capabilities and integrate five major ports into a cohesive system [1][14]. Group 1: Port Integration and Development - Sichuan has integrated five key ports: Luzhou, Yibin, Leshan, Guang'an, and Nanchong, to form a new "port carrier" in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River [1][9]. - The provincial government has initiated the "Smooth a River" shipping revitalization action, with a 31.2% year-on-year increase in container throughput in Q1 2023, reaching 90,000 TEU [1][2]. - The "one province, one port" strategy aims to address the underdeveloped and fragmented nature of Sichuan's inland shipping, which currently lags behind other provinces [1][7]. Group 2: Current Shipping Landscape - Sichuan's inland shipping cargo throughput is only 1.5 million tons, ranking 11th nationally and trailing behind provinces like Guangxi and Chongqing [5][7]. - The province's waterway cargo transport accounts for just 2.95% of total social cargo transport, significantly lower than Hubei and Chongqing [7]. - The existing navigable rivers and ports in Sichuan are underutilized, with many waterways not being part of major logistics corridors [7][8]. Group 3: Future Investments and Infrastructure - Sichuan plans to invest 62.68 billion yuan in waterway transportation infrastructure in 2024, continuing a trend of over 60 billion yuan in investment for three consecutive years [8][12]. - Key projects include the improvement of the Minjiang and Qujiang waterways, aiming to enhance navigability and capacity [8][12]. - By 2025, the province aims to invest over 280 billion yuan in road and waterway transportation, adding 50 kilometers of high-grade waterways [8][12]. Group 4: Port Performance and Competition - During the "May Day" holiday, the five ports under Sichuan Port Company achieved a cargo throughput of 47,300 tons, a 41.97% increase year-on-year [11]. - Luzhou and Yibin ports dominate the province's inland shipping, accounting for 37% of total cargo throughput in 2024, but their market share has been declining [11][12]. - The competition between Luzhou and Yibin has led to inefficiencies, prompting calls for integrated operations to optimize resources and reduce redundancy [12][14]. Group 5: Strategic Goals and Regional Cooperation - The integration of Luzhou and Yibin ports is part of a broader strategy to establish a shipping center in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, with a focus on resource sharing and functional complementarity [17][18]. - Collaborative projects between Sichuan and Chongqing aim to enhance shipping capabilities and create a more robust regional shipping network [17][18]. - The development of the Jialing River is also being prioritized to further enhance Sichuan's inland shipping potential [18].