Yangshan to add seven berths in December, boosting annual capacity at world’s busiest port

The Yangshan deep water port in Shanghai will start operating seven new berths on December 10, boosting the harbour’s annual handling capacity to 40 million containers, giving it the edge as the world’s busiest container port.

The seven new berths of the 12.8 billion yuan (US$1.95 billion) fourth phase of the port will boost the total capacity by 11 per cent, or 4 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), eventually expanding to 6.3 million TEUs a year. A press officer with Shanghai International Port Group, Yangshan port’s owner and operator, confirmed that the inauguration of the fourth phase will take place on December 10.

“Shanghai is determined to stay ahead of the competition in terms of port development,” said Xiao Yingjie, president of the Merchant Marine College at the Shanghai Maritime University. “Authorities and operators have been prioritising technologies and management to enhance the port of Shanghai’s international status.”

The harbour is equipped with some of the most advanced cranes, lifts and carriers with the latest technology in loading, discharging and transhipping cargo quickly and safely. As many as 130 automated guided vehicles (AGVs) will be deployed at the port, the largest number of automatons installed in any container terminals worldwide.

Yangshan began construction in 2002, and had 3 million TEUs of installed capacity when operations began three years later, kept busy by thriving trade emanating from the Yangtze Rover delta around Shanghai. By 2010, Shanghai had surpassed Singapore as the world’s busiest container port by volume.