Jiangyin Port, an important container port in Fuzhou, has made a breakthrough as its container throughput surpassed one million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) on December 23, up 23.5 percent year-on-year, higher than the average growth rate of 6 percent country wide.

A worker directs trucks entering Jiangyin Port in Fuzhou, Fujian province. [Photo by Peng Juan/chinadaily.com.cn]

Jiangyin Port is one of two most important container ports – the other one is Xiamen Port – in the provincial government’s development strategy. Chen Lezhang, deputy general manager of Fujian Provincial Communication Transportation Group, said that as the company is integrating its resources and merger of the ports, Jiangyin Port will enter the fast development lane. In particular, the goods transited through Mawei Port will help Jiangyin Port to become a shipping center in Southeast Asia in the future.

Jiangyin Port has opened up 2 foreign trade lines this year, bringing the total number of container trade routes to 29, including 19 foreign trade routes and 10 home routes. Till now, the trade route network has covered main countries and regions which have trade contacts with Fujian, including West Africa, South Africa, the USA, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and many southeast Asian countries.

According to the plan, the port’s container berths will increase to 19, and the berth throughput will reach one million TEUs. The port is also expected to handle the world’s largest container ship, which can carry 18,000 TEUs.

Talking about the future, Chen Jianzhong, general manager of Fuzhou Port Group, said that Jiangyin port will continue to build a logistics platform, and to accelerate the development of its harbor industry, and further facilitate customs clearance.

By Peng Juan from China Daily Fujian Bureau