A vessel loaded with BYD new energy vehicles is ready to depart Nantong Port on May 31. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

A vessel carrying 7,273 BYD new energy vehicles departed from Nantong Port in Jiangsu province on May 31, bound for European destinations including Spain and Italy.

This shipment represents the largest single-brand automobile export from China in the past decade and marks the first time Nantong Port has facilitated a large-scale export of commercial vehicles.

With the departure of this vessel, Nantong has established a new export channel for NEVs, offering a significant gateway for Chinese-made products to reach global markets.

For automotive manufacturers, a stable and efficient logistics system is critical to enhancing market competitiveness. Deng Huaiyu, director of BYD's in-house logistics center, said that by using China's mature and comprehensive transportation and logistics network, Chinese NEVs are rapidly gaining a foothold in the global market.

Nantong Port was selected as the departure point due to its strategic geographical advantages and the benefits of sea-rail intermodal transport, which not only reduces logistics costs but also significantly improves transportation efficiency, according to Deng.

Currently, Nantong is accelerating the development of a modern, comprehensive transportation system that connects nationally and extends globally. The city has been recognized as part of the national comprehensive freight hub support city cluster and included in the national logistics hub construction list. Looking ahead, Nantong aims to further strengthen port-led development, railway support, road distribution, and industrial integration, driving the efficient convergence of port, industrial, and logistics resources.