On January 1, the Qiongzhou Strait ushered in its first holiday “big test” after the closure and operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port. According to the data, passenger and cargo traffic in the Qiongzhou Strait showed a steady growth trend after customs closure. The Zhanjiang Maritime Department took many measures to ensure safe, smooth and orderly water transportation in the Qiongzhou Strait and protect the safe travel of the masses and the efficient circulation of materials. According to reports, the effects of the customs closure at the Hainan Free Trade Port are beginning to appear, and passenger traffic in the Qiongzhou Strait has been rising steadily. With the customs closure date of December 18, 2025 as the node, the Qiongzhou Strait transportation data is clearly compared. The Qiongzhou Strait carried a total of about 640,000 passengers and 200,000 vehicles in the first two weeks; in the two weeks after the customs closure, passenger traffic increased to about 710,000 passengers and 210,000 vehicles. Passenger traffic increased 10.9% month-on-month and vehicle traffic increased 5% month-on-month, and overall passenger and cargo traffic showed a steady growth trend. The relevant departments predict that during the three days of the 2026 New Year's Day holiday, there will be about 50,000 vehicles and 160,000 passengers entering and leaving the island in the Qiongzhou Strait.

On January 1, the Qiongzhou Strait ushered in its first holiday “big test” after the closure and operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port. According to the data, passenger and cargo traffic in the Qiongzhou Strait showed a steady growth trend after customs closure. The Zhanjiang Maritime Department took many measures to ensure safe, smooth and orderly water transportation in the Qiongzhou Strait and protect the safe travel of the masses and the efficient circulation of materials. According to reports, the effects of the customs closure at the Hainan Free Trade Port are beginning to appear, and passenger traffic in the Qiongzhou Strait has been rising steadily. With the customs closure date of December 18, 2025 as the node, the Qiongzhou Strait transportation data is clearly compared. The Qiongzhou Strait carried a total of about 640,000 passengers and 200,000 vehicles in the first two weeks; in the two weeks after the customs closure, passenger traffic increased to about 710,000 passengers and 210,000 vehicles. Passenger traffic increased 10.9% month-on-month and vehicle traffic increased 5% month-on-month, and overall passenger and cargo traffic showed a steady growth trend. The relevant departments predict that during the three days of the 2026 New Year's Day holiday, there will be about 50,000 vehicles and 160,000 passengers entering and leaving the island in the Qiongzhou Strait.