A freight train loaded with spodumene ore departs Xiamen International Logistics Port on July 30. [Photo/Xiamen International Logistics Port]
A freight train loaded with spodumene ore departed Xiamen International Logistics Port on July 30, marking the launch of a new sea-rail route from Xiamen Port to inland Jiangxi province.
Spodumene ore, a key material for new-energy batteries, is often called "white petroleum" in the clean energy sector. This shipment, sourced from Nigeria, previously took 70 to 90 days for delivery.
The new route cuts the total transit time to 50 days by routing the ore through Xiamen Port and then moving it by rail and truck to Jiangxi factories, saving the company at least 20 days in capital costs.
A new shipping route for nickel intermediates from Indonesia directly to Xiamen goes into service. [Photo/Hailong Terminal]
A new shipping route for nickel intermediates from Indonesia directly to Xiamen has also gone into service, with a vessel carrying over 1,000 metric tons of imported nickel intermediates docking at Hailong Terminal, marking the first time Xiamen Port has handled such cargo through a bulk cargo terminal.
Intermediates are primarily used to produce nickel sulfate, which is the key nickel feedstock in the ternary lithium battery supply chain. Previously, new-energy companies in Xiamen had to import these materials through ports in other provinces such as Guangdong and Jiangsu, and then transport them overland to their local facilities. The new direct shipping channel significantly reduces both procurement costs and logistics lead times for nickel raw materials.