Tianjin Port Containers Increase 19.7pc in 2008

TIANJIN Port, the largest in north China, handled 354 million tons of cargo and as of last week in 2008 handled 19.7pc more containers in 2008 than in 2007 to total 8.5 million TEU, reported Xinhua.

By the middle November, Tianjin had seen its cumulative container throughput reach 7.23 million TEU and overall cargo rise to 310 million tonnes, both figures surpassing annual volumes in 2007.

When Tianjin opened in 1952, it was a small, shallow-water harbour capable of handling less than 700,000 tons a year. It has since become a deep-water port with many specialised berths with a 7.1 million TEU throughput, placing it in sixth position among the top 20 ports of the world, said Xinhua.