The officials inspect the energy storage containers. [Photo/Xiamen Maritime Safety Administration]

The vessel Harmony departed from Xiamen Port on July 18, carrying 50 energy storage containers bound for Honduras, a Belt and Road partner country. This shipment brings the total number of energy storage containers safely shipped from the port this year to over 3,000 units, with a total export value exceeding 10 billion yuan ($1.48 billion). In the first half of the year, export volume surged more than 180 percent year on year.

In this wave of export growth, Xiamen's leading new energy companies have stood out, such as Hithium Energy Storage, which serves more than 40 countries and regions worldwide, with orders booked through the end of 2027.

Upstream materials suppliers such as Xiamen Tungsten and XTC New Energy Materials have also stepped up, reporting a sharp rise in cathode material sales.

Classified as Class 9 dangerous goods, energy storage containers are bulky and energy-dense, demanding highly stringent logistics and storage conditions. Xiamen Port now operates four high-standard refrigerated container yards for such cargo, with an annual capacity of over 132,000 TEUs, among the largest in the country. This effectively resolves the temperature control challenges that lithium batteries face during summer transport and storage.

The city also pioneered a new shipping model for bulk carriers in 2025, operating a dual-capacity system combining container liner services and bulk cargo vessels, which has significantly reduced overall logistics costs for businesses.