The reconstruction of the Huanggang Port joint inspection building has been completed, and it was opened to the public for visits and experiences for the first time. On Sep. 19, the Shenzhen Port Office organised a 100-person exploration event, with 100 "port explorers" entering the Shenzhen side of Huanggang Port to inspect the new hardware facilities and clearance layout on site, and to experience the upgraded port in advance.
The tour route focused on the fourth and fifth floors of the passenger inspection levels. A Ta Kung Pao reporter gained a detailed understanding of the cooperative inspection express lanes, known as the "three gates," inside the port, and personally experienced the clearance environment, smart equipment and public convenience facilities. Many port explorers said that Huanggang Port now implements "co-location" arrangements, greatly improving clearance efficiency and truly achieving efficient and convenient cross-boundary travel.
After reconstruction, Huanggang Port achieves the separation of people and vehicles through "vertical layering" and "physical isolation," fully separating four types of traffic flows – pedestrians, cross-border passenger vehicles, social vehicles and rail transit – thereby addressing the root cause of the previous mixed flow of people and vehicles at the port.
According to on-site docents, Huanggang Port has four basement levels and five above-ground levels. From top to bottom, the functions are: L5, the Hong Kong-to-Shenzhen passenger inspection level; L4, the Shenzhen-to-Hong Kong passenger inspection level; L3, the Shenzhen-to-Hong Kong vehicle inspection level; L2, the Hong Kong-side non-cross-border transport interchange level; L1, the Hong Kong-to-Shenzhen vehicle inspection level; B1, the Shenzhen-side non-cross-border transport interchange level; B2, the reserved rail inspection level; and B3 and B4, underground car parks.
Huge floor-to-ceiling windows on fourth floor become popular photo spot
After reconstruction, Huanggang Port has a total of 134 cooperative inspection express lanes and 28 "five-in-one" cooperative vehicle inspection lanes. The tour route focused on the fourth and fifth floors of the passenger inspection levels. At the event, port explorers visited the major functional areas of Huanggang Port in an immersive manner, gained a detailed understanding of the cooperative inspection express lanes, or "three gates," and personally experienced the clearance environment, smart equipment and public convenience facilities.
Many port explorers were deeply impressed by the iterative upgrades to the clearance model. In the past, cross-boundary travel required "two locations, two inspections," involving cumbersome procedures and long waiting times. Now, Huanggang Port implements "co-location," greatly improving clearance efficiency and truly achieving efficient and convenient clearance.
The huge floor-to-ceiling windows on the fourth floor have become a popular photo spot. The floor is as smooth as a mirror, with clear reflections, and together with the full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, the space resembles a "giant eye" gazing at the city. The unique spatial design and excellent views prompted many port explorers to stop, take photos and record this striking scene.
Duty-free shop zone to showcase 'Made in Shenzhen'
In terms of commercial facilities, Ta Kung Pao previously learned from the Shenzhen Port Office that the inbound duty-free shop at Huanggang Port is located on L5 and the mezzanine of the joint inspection building. The planned area on L5 is about 200 square metres, while the mezzanine is planned at about 1,400 square metres.
In terms of product categories, in addition to consolidating traditional strengths such as tobacco, alcohol and imported fragrances and cosmetics, the duty-free shop is focusing on two major upgrade directions. First, it will set up a "China Chic" zone, introducing domestic beauty and skincare brands to meet inbound travellers' interest in Chinese local consumer brands. Second, it will introduce a "Made in Shenzhen" zone, showcasing local technology brands in a concentrated manner and creating a differentiated "technology plus duty-free" track, allowing travellers to directly experience the strength of "Shenzhen smart manufacturing."
As the world's largest single-building land border checkpoint, the reconstructed Huanggang Port implements "cooperative inspection, single release," which is expected to significantly divert traffic from nearby ports and effectively ease inbound pressure at checkpoints such as Luohu and Futian during holidays and peak periods. In addition, the reconstructed Huanggang Port will provide a reference for innovative inspection models at other Shenzhen ports.
The event used an open recruitment format to bring the port closer to the public. Once officially opened, it will become an important hub for Shenzhen-Hong Kong connectivity and Greater Bay Area interchange.
New port reduces land use, reserves space for Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation
According to the Shenzhen Port Office, the reconstructed Huanggang Port has three major upgrade highlights.
In terms of clearance mode, the original Huanggang Port implemented "two locations, two inspections." Travellers heading to Shenzhen first had to undergo inspection on the Hong Kong side, then take a shuttle bus to the Shenzhen side of Huanggang Port for a second inspection, involving travelling back and forth and consuming time and effort. After reconstruction, the "co-location" model is adopted, with Shenzhen and Hong Kong conducting joint inspections in the same building. Travellers "queue once and are released once," greatly improving clearance efficiency.
Based on the structure of the clearance population and future trends, Huanggang Port has set the ratio of "express lanes" to "manual lanes" to safeguard the clearance needs of the elderly, children and people with mobility difficulties. Technologically, through the construction of a cooperative inspection platform and data security boundaries, relevant information is transmitted to the Shenzhen and Hong Kong inspection authorities, which can conduct system integration and data verification through the back end.
In terms of transport connections, the original port relied on shuttle buses to connect the Shenzhen and Hong Kong sides, making transfers inconvenient. After reconstruction, the B2 level of the joint inspection building directly connects to Shenzhen Metro Line 7. In future, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Dongguan intercity railway and the Hong Kong Northern Link spur line (under planning) will both connect to the Huanggang Port area, achieving seamless transfers among multiple rail transport modes.
Staff to work 'three shifts' to provide round-the-clock uninterrupted service
In addition, in terms of land release, the original port had cross-border cargo inspection facilities, occupying a large amount of land. After reconstruction, the cargo inspection function will be cancelled, and the released land will be used to support the construction of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, boosting the development of the Hetao area.
In terms of 24-hour operational support, Huanggang Port staff will implement a "three-shift" work system to ensure round-the-clock uninterrupted clearance services. The shift plan will be dynamically adjusted according to tidal patterns in passenger flow: morning and late-night shifts will cover concentrated passenger flow periods and be allocated the most manpower; the middle shift will correspond to normal flow periods, with maintenance staff appropriately streamlined, achieving precise deployment of human resources.
(Source: Ta Kung Pao | Editor: Liu Yu)
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