The volume of inland waterways freight transport in China stood at 5.7942 trillion tonne kilometers in 2023. The year-on-year growth rate for 2023 was 3.66%, indicating a steady increase from 2022. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last 5 years was 4.22%, demonstrating consistent growth despite the dip in 2020. Over the past decade, the volume has shown substantial fluctuations with notable growth periods and occasional declines, reflecting various market dynamics and external factors impacting the sector.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Infrastructure improvements and technological advancements paving the way for efficiency.
- China's environmental policies potentially influencing the freight transport industry.
- Geopolitical developments and global trade patterns impacting inland waterways freight demand.