Luobei Border Port in Hegang, Heilongjiang

Luobei Border Port (萝北口岸) is located in the northeastern part of Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省), where the Xiaoxing’an Mountains (小兴安岭) meet the Sanjiang Plain (三江平原), within the Ming Mountain Town (名山镇) of Luobei County (萝北县). Approved for establishment in 1989, it officially opened for international trade in 1993. The port is a significant link between China and Russia, offering both passenger and cargo transport services. It serves as a key gateway for cross-border trade and tourism, with direct connections to the Russian Amur Jetet Port (阿穆尔捷特口岸) just 1.5 kilometers away across the Heilong River (黑龙江).

Overview of Luobei Border Port

History and Establishment

Luobei Border Port was approved in 1989 and officially opened in 1993. The port is located in the town of Ming Mountain, within Luobei County, Heilongjiang Province, and lies across the Heilong River from the Russian Amur Jetet Port. The port facilitates both international passenger and cargo transportation, offering year-round services with waterway transport in the summer months (May–October) and ice road transport in the winter (November–March).

Infrastructure and Capacity

Port Features

  • Transportation Modes: During the open water period (May–October), the port utilizes ships for cargo transport. In the winter (November–March), automobile transport is carried out on the ice.

  • Annual Throughput: Luobei Port has an annual throughput capacity of 500,000 tons, with specialized terminals for coal and timber, and a roll-on/roll-off ferry terminal. It can accommodate vessels up to 3,000 tons.

  • Inspection and Customs: The port includes integrated border inspection services, with customs, quarantine, and inspection offices in place. Cargo inspection is streamlined, and vehicles can clear customs in just 20 minutes.

Specialized Services

  • Port Facilities: A 40,000-square-meter customs warehouse has been completed, which supports rapid clearance of goods.

  • Key Imports and Exports: Following the resumption of open water transport in 2025, the port expects to handle over 300 tons of goods per day, including soybeans, boards, and agricultural machinery.

Strategic Location and Connectivity

Geographical Position

  • Location: Luobei Port is located 20 kilometers from the Luobei County seat and 60 kilometers from the city of Hegang (鹤岗市), with a direct highway connection.

  • Transport Links: The port is the closest border port to Harbin (哈尔滨), Heilongjiang’s provincial capital, and has excellent road access. It also offers direct international transport links between Hegang and the Russian city of Birobidzhan (比罗比詹), with an established water-to-land transport network to third-party countries.

Recent Developments

Trade Growth and Development

  • Increased Traffic: In the first half of 2025, the number of people passing through the port increased by 50%, with the addition of four new foreign trade companies.

  • Cross-Border Trade Expansion: A new cross-border trade area for Russian border residents has been launched, with ongoing efforts to attract foreign investment.

  • Policy Support: Luobei Customs has earned the title of “National Civilized Unit,” which has helped streamline customs services.

Nearby Attractions

  • Ming Mountain Scenic Area (名山风景区): An AAAA-rated scenic area offering beautiful natural landscapes.

  • Heilongjiang Middle Reach Natural Scenery (黑龙江中游自然风光): Scenic views along the Heilong River.

Practical Information

  • Contact Number: 0468-6822099

  • Location: Luobei County, Heihe City, Heilongjiang Province, near the intersection of G331 and Heping Highway.

Development and Environmental Construction

Infrastructure Investment

Following the government’s approval to establish the port, Luobei County invested over 26 million RMB in building office, residential, and inspection facilities. The county further invested 300 million RMB to construct a 60-kilometer high-grade road connecting the port to Hegang, improve communications infrastructure, and enhance the port’s facilities, including the renovation of the Ming Mountain Port to handle 300,000 tons of goods annually. This has positioned the port as the largest coal export hub along the Heilong River.

Unique Advantages

Key Benefits

  1. Proximity: Luobei is the closest port to Harbin among the nine ports along the Heilong River, and it has the best facilities for international trade.

  2. Excellent Road Access: The port is conveniently located near medium-sized cities such as Hegang and Jiamusi (佳木斯), which enhances its economic impact.

  3. Navigability: The port is positioned on the “Golden Waterway” of the Heilong River, allowing navigation by vessels up to 5,000 tons. It is now part of a water-to-land transport network.

  4. Comprehensive Development: The ongoing development of the Ming Mountain Island (名山岛) and a national-level cross-border trade zone will transform the town into a unique border city for shopping, dining, tourism, and leisure.

  5. Expanded Transport Links: Direct passenger and cargo transport routes between Hegang and Birobidzhan have been established, with ongoing discussions for extending transport services to other Russian cities, including Habarovsk (哈巴).

Future Growth

In the new millennium, the local government has focused on expanding the port economy by leveraging its strategic location, improving infrastructure, and promoting cross-border trade. The development of agriculture, industry, and border trade has contributed to Luobei’s economic growth and positioning as an emerging gateway for China-Russia cooperation.