China Railway Investment Co. is planning to launch a national coal trading center at the northern port of Qinhuangdao in a move likely to increase the reliability of supplies and move heavily-polluting transport off the roads, Caixin has learned.

The National Development and Reform Commission, China’s top economic planner, has long told rail and shipping companies to prioritize developing better coal transport capabilities in order to reduce frequent periods of inefficient supply.

The new trading center appears to be aimed at rationalizing both coal purchases and transportation across the country, analysts said. While a formal announcement has not yet been made, Caixin learned that China Railway is aiming to have the platform up and running by the end of the year.