Stories

Nanjing Shunjun – Growing at the Speed of China’s Energy Transition

2025-02-05

For two decades, Nanjing Shunjun Transportation, a Chinese leader in transporting liquid hazardous chemicals, has prioritized safe and premium deliveries. Founder and CEO Bian Duojun is committed to upholding this legacy and elevating the company to new heights: “Our vision is to expand rapidly, offering China the safest and most reliable method for transporting chemicals.”

Driven by strong government policies and substantial investments, China’s green energy sector has experienced significant growth in recent years. An analysis by CREA, done on behalf of the online magazine Carbon Brief, shows that clean-energy investment in sectors like solar power, electric vehicles, and batteries rose 40% year-on-year to 890 billion U.S. dollars in 2023 – equivalent to the GDP of Switzerland or Turkey.

The rapid growth has created a growing need for safe and reliable transportation of chemicals, and for Nanjing Shunjun Transportation, this is an opportunity to grow. “Safe transportation is our most important mission and primary responsibility as we participate in this social energy transition,” says the company’s CEO Bian Duojun.

Man sitting in Nanjing Shunjun truck looking outside

Our meeting takes place at Nanjing Shunjun’s extensive maintenance and transfer facility in Chuzhou, China. Strategically positioned about 400 kilometers from the bustling economic center of Shanghai, Chuzhou acts as a regional hub with convenient transportation links to major cities like Hefei and Nanjing. As a truck departs the premises, briefly interrupting our conversation, the activity at the repair shop underscores the importance of safety in this industry. Bian Duojun emphasizes the need for well-maintained vehicles: “Keeping the trucks on the road in the best possible condition is essential when you are carrying lithium, liquid hydrogen, and ammonium nitrate across China’s highways every day.”

Nanjing Shunjun's fleet currently comprises 85 Volvo Trucks, with 20 more on order. This aligns with the company’s rapid growth since its founding in 2005, which has seen its workforce expand to 700 employees. And the stage is set for Nanjing Shunjun’s continued success in the growing Chinese market. As China accelerates its transition to green energy, coupled with the proliferation of high-tech industries, there is a surging demand for specialized logistics companies adept at handling hazardous chemicals. On top of that, the province of Jiangsu is an industrial juggernaut, with a GDP of 1.8 trillion US dollars per year and an estimated 85 million residents. It features a densely packed network of cities and towns, factory districts – and environmentally protected areas.

Woman talking to a man while standing in front of a Volvo Truck

To seize the many opportunities, a solid financial partner is essential. This is where Volvo Financial Services, with its long-standing relationship with Nanjing Shunjun, comes in:

“We work together with our customers to anticipate market trends and ensure that when the demand is there, the transport solutions will be in place. For an individual company to have liquidity to match demand would be challenging, and the flexibility of Volvo Financial Services makes everything much smoother,” says Yichao Gu, sales manager at Volvo Financial Services, who is working closely with Bian Duojun and his team.

Nanjing Shunjun has experienced remarkable growth, achieving a 50% increase in business year-over-year for the past several years. However, industry demand can fluctuate significantly from month to month. Thanks to the adaptability of Volvo Financial Services, Nanjing Shunjun has been able to dynamically scale its fleet to meet both immediate and long-term operational needs.

“Since 2022, the Chinese industry has witnessed a surge in activity,” Bian Duojun remarks. “With the support of Volvo Financial Services, we have been able to exponentially expand and modernize our fleet to align with the escalating demands of our clients.”

As a 12x4 carrying a gleaming white tanker rolls past the gates, Bian Duojun watches with a smile. “It’s a privilege to contribute to China’s energy transition,” he says. “Our commitment to safe and reliable transportation fuels my team’s dedication to this journey.”