Tianjin Port-Hinterland Connectivity to Mongolia: Challenges and Strategies

Abstract

Tianjin port is located in the north part of China making it the closest port to Mongolia, which is a landlocked country that belongs to its hinterland. The rapid economic progress of Mongolia during the recent years has lead the country to open up to some new major partners such as South Korea, Germany and the United States of America. It has also lead to a higher demand of its population for South Korean, European and American goods that are of good quality though considered expensive. This demand has caused a container congestion problem at Tianjin port and Zamyn-Üüd dry port hence creating difficulties in importing goods to and exporting goods from Mongolia via Tianjin port. Consequently, this article uses a qualitative methodology to analyse and discuss the challenges of Tianjin port-hinterland connectivity to Mongolia. Some of the main challenges discussed below include the constant increase of the import tariffs at Tianjin port and Zamyn-Üüd dry port, the small number of trains and wagons connecting Tianjin port to Zamyn-Üüd dry port, the presence of many middle companies and the lack of good communication between Tianjin port and the Mongolian custom officers present at Zamyn-Üüd dry port. Moreover, some specific strategies are suggested and discussed on how they are capable of tackling the numerous challenges.  These strategies will be essential to Tianjin port authorities in order to improve the efficiency of Tianjin port-hinterland connectivity to Mongolia and to Mongolian officials as well. This will enable them to develop better structures and infrastructure hence making it easier for Mongolian customers to import and export their goods.

Keywords: import, export, hinterland, Zamyn-Üüd dry port, Tianjin port