The current status of intelligent logistics and cold chain shipping research is a hot topic worldwide. Meanwhile, the study of regional logistics and regional economy, shipping logistics and regional economic theory and application methods, and the empirical analysis of the correlation between the Yangtze River shipping and the Yangtze River shipping economy have attracted a lot of attention. This research has revealed that the Internet of Things of Yangtze River shipping has a great impact on the Yangtze River and the importance of inland river economic development. This study presents the empirical analysis on the correlation between shipping logistics and the inland river economy, starting from qualitative and quantitative aspects, and taking Yangtze River shipping as the representative. The proposed mathematical models and qualitative data analysis are made on the relevant effects of intelligent logistics and cold chain shipping on an inland river economy including its impact on the industrial layout, international trade, and urbanization. The research results provide administrative decisions or guidance values for the economic development of inland river ports in the Yangtze River.