Feeder-line services are expected to start soon between Shekou Container Terminals (SCT) and three other mainland ports.
SCT chief executive Chris Langford said the services would link Foshan, Nansha and Jiangmen, bringing to 11 the ports with feeder and barge networks to SCT.
'The ports will come under the umbrella of the recent customs agreement signed by SCT and Shenzhen customs,' Mr Langford said.
This memorandum of understanding includes Shantou, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Dalian, Huangpu, Shunde and Zhongshan. Cargo bound for these cities will be cleared locally instead of being processed at SCT, a move which is expected to cut transshipment times and generate more import trade.
Overall, container volume generated from the western side of the Pearl River delta and Guangdong province is set to grow by 45 per cent next year to more than three million teu (20 ft equivalent units).
The forecasts, by the Guangdong transport ministry, show the biggest growth is expected in joint-venture cargo, expected to top 2.2 million teu.
