Qingdao Port Moves Further to Top
Already ranking the first among docks for iron ore in the world, Qingdao Port is now ambitious to be the shipping hub of northeast Asia as it determines to equip itself with high technology, information technology and comprehensive logistics services.
In 2007, the port’s throughput was 265 million tons and 9.46 million twenty-foot container units, respectively doubling and tripling those of 2002. And in the first quarter this year, its throughput has exceeded 75 million tons, up 15% compared with the same period last year.
The port will further develop at Jiaozhou Bay, Qianwan Port, Aoshan Bay and Dongjiakou, striving to become a global state-of-art by 2010 when throughput is projected to hit 320 million tons. By 2010, handling capacity for crude oil is expected to reach 55 million tons, making it one of the world’s largest terminals for crude oil and liquid chemicals while iron ore throughput is projected to be 68 million tons, managing to maintain its top global ranking.
Twenty of the world’s leading shipping companies have regular lines serving Qingdao. And over 100 renowned domestic companies, including China Petrochemical Corp and Jigang Group Co Ltd, have established closer cooperation with the port, while 7 of the top-500 global companies have established operations there. In addition, Qingdao Qianwan Container Terminal Co Ltd, a $887 million JV was established between the port and Maersk Group and P&O Nedlloyd Ltd, the world’s biggest and second-largest shipping companies, and China’s largest shipping company China Ocean Shipping Co (COSCO). Rapid expansion of the port has also driven the development of other entities, including customs, quarantine inspection and logistics. Currently, logistics companies are in full swing in Qingdao.
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