Shandong Port Group (SPG), the world's largest port conglomerate in terms of cargo capacity, set up a new inland port at Dechang Railway Logistics Center in Wuzhong city, Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region on March 31.

Authorities of SPG said that the new inland port is expected to boost the social and economic development of Qinghai, Ningxia and Gansu.

Wuzhong, located in the heart of of Ningxia, has been an important passage along the Silk Road since ancient times, and is a key hub connecting the Hexi Corridor, which was once renowned for the passage of Silk Road camel caravans, and the central plain area.

The Ningxia (Wuzhong) Inland Port of SPG covers a total area of 2,000 mu (133.33 hectares), and has a combined investment of 800 million yuan ($125.66 million). The port is equipped with complete supporting facilities. The new port will offer comprehensive logistics services for enterprises in the city, and help promote the export of Ningxia's agricultural and sideline products, and its gypsum industry.

Local authorities said that the new port will help Ningxia better utilize national development strategies such as ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin.

This year, SPG has beefed up efforts to boost the integrated development of its ports with the recent opening of a number of sea-rail freight trains in a bid to improve the distribution of logistics corridors along the Yellow River basin.

SPG sets up its first inland port at Dechang Railway Logistics Center in Wuzhong city in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region on March 31. [Photo/WeChat account: Shandong-Port]