Central China's metropolis Wuhan aims to be nation's major logistics hub

WUHAN, situated at the central hinterland of China, is poised to be the largest logistics hub in hinterland China, and plans to expand its logistics network by building more distribution facilities in order to achieve its target, Xinhua reports.

According to its development plan, Wuhan will build six new logistics parks on the city borders, eight logistics centres close to industrial parks and trading centres, and 10 distribution centres around the urban area with easy transportation access to enhance distribution efficiency.

Wuhan plans to raise its logistics industry's annual added value to CNY120 billion (US$19.28 billion) by 2015, taking up 12 per cent of its GDP, and lower the percentage of logistics cost in GDP to 14 per cent.

It will also make full use of its existing traffic connections with the world and the rest of China such as the Wuhan-Xinjiang-Europe Railway, Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway, international and domestic flight services and river-sea intermodal shipping services.

Wuhan logistics growth has been slightly faster than the national average, but logistics costs are still high, taking up 16.1 per cent in its GDP. The services it offers are mostly primary such as transportation and warehousing. Its logistics facilities are also less-organised and have hindered the smooth flow of the city's traffic.