Heilongjiang Lighthouse International Logistics Co., Ltd.

CMA CGM has announced the launch of an electric and hybrid inland barge project on the Fos–Lyon corridor, strengthening multimodal flows along the Mediterranean–Rhône–Saône axis. The initiative runs alongside a €40 million upgrade program for the Lyon Rhône Terminal (LRT).

The electric barge is expected to enter service within two years and will be capable of transporting up to 12,000 TEU annually. The 185-meter vessel, with a capacity of 156 TEU, will be built in Europe for delivery in 2028. The project was unveiled in Lyon in the presence of France’s Minister of Transport.

CMA CGM is in advanced discussions with river operator Combronde to jointly operate and commercialize the service. The group is also collaborating with Compagnie Nationale du Rhône to develop charging infrastructure in Lyon and Arles, supported by regional authorities and EU funding programs.

Under a 30-year sub-concession awarded in April 2025, LRT modernization aims to increase river and rail volumes along the Fos–Lyon axis. By 2030, CMA CGM targets 100,000 TEU via inland waterways and 60,000 TEU by rail in Lyon.

The initiative is positioned as a key component of logistics decarbonization in France, with river transport reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 80% compared to road haulage while easing congestion on the A7 motorway.

China’s combined seaports and river ports handled 18.3 billion tons of cargo in 2025, marking a 4.2% year-on-year increase, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics of China.

Throughput of foreign trade cargo rose by 4.7% to 5.65 billion tons, while domestic (cabotage) volumes reached 12.7 billion tons, up 4% year on year.

China’s seaports alone accounted for 11.6 billion tons, showing a 3.7% increase compared with 2024.

Average monthly cargo handling in 2025 exceeded 1.5 billion tons, up from 1.47 billion tons a year earlier. The annual peak was recorded in November, when throughput surpassed 1.6 billion tons, highlighting sustained demand across trade and industrial sectors.

Authorities in Hong Kong have launched a Port Community System (PCS) — a unified digital platform for the port and logistics ecosystem that enables 24/7 real-time cargo monitoring. According to GS1 Hong Kong, more than 2,300 companies have already joined the system, highlighting rapid industry adoption.

The PCS is built on international GS1 standards, including GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), improving the accuracy of declarations and end-to-end supply chain traceability. The platform is also designed to be interoperable with China’s Single Window system, where GTIN is already mandatory for import clearance, helping to reduce friction in cross-border cargo flows.

Beyond operations, the system is expected to support trade finance. PCS data will be used in the CargoX project, developed with the participation of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, to simplify banks’ risk assessments and improve access to financing for SMEs.

The initiative strengthens Hong Kong’s position as a digital hub for port logistics and accelerates the shift toward data-driven port and supply chain management.

Developing countries are experiencing a new wave of increased imports of low-cost Chinese products. After reducing exports to the United States, part of China’s trade flows has shifted toward Southeast Asian markets, including Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

According to regional analysts, the surge in imported goods is putting pressure on local industries, reducing production activity and affecting employment. Economists note that if Chinese exports continue to grow, the region may face rising social tensions — especially given the existing anti-China sentiment in several Southeast Asian countries.

By 2030, China is expected to become the only country responsible for all global growth in polystyrene production capacity. Between 2025 and 2030, China will add 1.21 million tons of new capacity every year through three planned projects and one additional announced development.

Polystyrene is a lightweight, cost-effective plastic known for its strong insulation properties and is widely used in packaging, building insulation, and foodservice products. According to GlobalData, demand in China — the world’s largest manufacturing economy — continues to rise, driven by the need for packaging materials for both domestic consumption and export markets.