Shanghai to Launch Deep-water Port ProjectThe city will launch a heavily invested deep-water port project soon, through co-operation with Zhejiang Province as part of its drive to become an international shipping centre.The port, named Yangshan, will be located in Shengsi, Zhejiang Province, some 40 kilometres away from the city's Nanhui County. "The project aims to position Shanghai, on the west bank of the Pacific Ocean, as a pivotal container port," said Mayor Xu Kuangdi. "Preparations are under way and an investment of 12 billion yuan (US$1.45 billion) will be injected into the project this year," Xu told deputies who attended the 4th Plenary Session of the city's 11th People's Congress, which closed yesterday. The project is expected to cost 100 billion yuan (US$12 billion) in its first phase, which is expected to be finished in 2010. The whole port will take 20 years to complete. Insiders say that with this type of deep-water port the city will be able to challenge the competition from other Asian countries and regions. Shanghai last year handled 5.61 million 20-foot containers, and is expected to see 10 million by the year 2005 when five new berths are completed. In 2010, when the first phase of the deep-water port is finished, the city will have an annual capacity of 20 million 20-foot containers. At present, the water channel at the mouth of the Yangtze River is only 8.5 metres deep even though it has been dredged. It is unable to accommodate 50,000-tonnage container ships. Usually ships that carry 3,000 to 4,000, 20-foot containers need a 12.5-metre-deep channel. The mayor said the city will complete the port plan before March this year and at the same time a plan will be worked out on building a port town at Luchaogang which will be connected to Shengsi by a 30-kilometre-long bridge. Some of the buildings and villas at Luchaogang will be destroyed to make space for the new town. Local shipping experts said building such a port will promote the development of the city's logistics, e-business, shipping, maritime and shipbuilding industries. "But the city is urgently in need of maritime personnel for the new deep-water port," said Yu Shicheng, vice-president of Shanghai Maritime University. Source: China Daily |
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