Guangzhou port sees jump in throughput
Guangzhou's container port throughput jumped 41.5 per cent to 4.6 million teu (20-foot equivalent units) last year, setting it well on its way to hit a target of 10 million teu in 2010, while total cargo handled rose 16 per cent to 250 million tonnes.
Of the total, the newly completed Nansha port handled one million teu, taking only one year to hit the million mark when other ports normally take four to five years, state media reported.
To make that happen, the government pumped 2.8 billion yuan into 18 projects that comprised Phase II of the port's development which included the dredging of a 115-kilometre long, 13-metre deep and 160-metre wide channel to enable 50,000-tonne vessels to sail in with the tide.
The channel project was expected to be completed soon and over the 11th Five-Year Programme period to 2010, to be deepened further to provide the needed draft for 100,000-tonne vessels to have access at all times.
The government has budgeted 20 billion yuan for phases II and III of Nansha port and Phase II of Xinsha port and to build specialised facilities for grains, minerals and coal and a shipyard on Longxue Island.
By the end of the five-year development plan in 2010, Guangzhou's port will have an additional 56 berths with capacity to handle 39.24 million tonnes of cargo and 6.04 million teu, taking total cargo throughput to 320 million tonnes and 10 million teu.
By that time, 61.8 per cent of Guangzhou's berths would be able to handle 35,000-tonne vessels.
Guangzhou Port Group chairman Chen Hongxin said the bulk of Nansha port's business was international container shipments and it was hoped to increase the number of routes by 10 annually.
Oil and coal now account for 70 per cent of the group's profits but Mr Chen said car, logistics and container shipment were future areas of growth.
