The first cold storage house for e-commerce purposes is being built in the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone (PCPZ) in Fujian province, Pingtan Times reported on Dec 18.

A computer rendering of a cold chain warehouse for e-commerce purposes in Pingtan, Fujian province. [Photo/pingtan.gov.cn]

The 120-million-yuan ($19 million) warehouse is situated at the Dong’ao National Fishing port in Aoqian town. Occupying an area of 25,000 sq meters, the warehouse will have a holding capacity of 30,000 tons and a daily ice producing capacity of 200 tons after completion, which is expected to take 18 months.

With a 1,300-sq-m workshop for processing, the warehouse will serve as an e-commerce base integrating acquisition, processing, quick-freezing and refrigeration of goods including fruit, vegetables, and fresh aquatic products.

The project will greatly improve the development of the cold chain industry in Pingtan, according to Fu Xuelin, president of the Fuzhou Jinfulin Food Co which is investing in the warehouse.

Placing the warehouse near the fishing port will help with the work efficiency and keep the freshness of the aquatic products, creating favorable conditions for their processing and sales, he added.

“After completion, the base will be able to produce 30,000-ton frozen and fresh seafood products at a time, with a value of 100 to 200 million yuan, benefiting more than 3,000 rural households,” said Fu.