Xia Changwen (right), meets with Nelson Ng Chiun Ming, consul-general of Singapore in Xiamen. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Nelson Ng Chiun Ming, consul-general of Singapore in Xiamen paid a visit to Xiamen Port in East China's Fujian province earlier this month, and said that Singapore and Xiamen will deepen cooperation in port construction and the shipping business.

Xia Changwen, director-general of Xiamen Port Authority, introduced the basic information and future development of the port during the meeting.

Xiamen Port is located on the southeastern coast of China, and is near Xiamen and Zhangzhou, two prefecture-level cities in Fujian province. It is one of the most important international trade ports in the country.

The port's annual container throughput hit 12.43 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2022, a year-on-year increase of 3.22 percent, and a new port record. This year, the port plans to make continuous efforts to promote high-quality development and achieve the annual container throughput target of 12.8 million TEUs.

Last year, Xiamen Port and its trade partners overcame the negative impacts of COVID-19, and achieved economic growth despite multiple challenges and pressure. Official statistics show that the port opened a total of 28 domestic and foreign trade routes and 14 container liner routes in 2022, which increased the total number to 173, and the port is connected to 149 ports in 55 countries and regions across the world.

Xiamen Port currently has nine port areas and has built 184 berths for production. Among them, 79 berths can accommodate large ships carrying 10,000 metric tons of cargo.

This year, Xiamen Port will intensify its efforts to promote the integrated development of the city and the port along with green and smart development, and aims to advance high-quality development and build it into a world-class port, according to Xia.

Xia added that the port plans to beef up efforts to build itself into a shipping center in Southeast Asia, and a world-class sea port in the future.

It is expected that the port's annual container throughput will hit 20 million TEUs by 2035, and rank among the top 10 in the world.

Nelson Ng Chiun Ming said that Singapore looks forward to deepening cooperation with Xiamen Port in various aspects, such as port digitalization and green port construction, as well as sustainable development. Singapore plans to also strengthen cooperation with Xiamen in a bid to promote trade cooperation between China and Singapore.

Xiamen Port is located in the coastal city of Xiamen, Fujian province and is one of the most important international trade ports in the country. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]