The closure of Hainan Free Trade Port is imminent, and the passenger and cargo volume in the Qiongzhou Strait has increased in unison.

On December 18th, Hainan Free Trade Port will officially initiate a full island closure. As the "aquatic artery" connecting Guangdong and Hainan, the safety and efficiency of navigation in the Qiongzhou Strait directly affect the smooth implementation of the closure operations. According to the maritime department in Zhanjiang, as the closure approaches, the passenger and cargo volume in the Qiongzhou Strait is showing a "warm-up" growth trend. Data shows that in early December of this year, the number of passenger ships, passengers, and vehicles transported in the Qiongzhou Strait increased by 9%, 23%, and 18% respectively compared to early November. The transport volume of new energy vehicles increased by 27%. It is predicted that during the Spring Festival travel season in 2026, the number of passengers in the Qiongzhou Strait is expected to reach 4.97 million, with 1.16 million vehicles, a significant increase from previous years. At the same time, the proportion of new energy vehicles being transported continues to rise, with an estimated proportion of 28% during the 2026 Spring Festival travel season, and a daily transport volume of 6,200 vehicles, a growth of 100% compared to previous years.