Feb.21--THE phase two project of the eastern China river port Bengbu has recently been completed and has passed acceptance test.
The new terminal will hopefully start operation soon after the Chinese New Year, and become China's first container port in northern Anhui province.
The Bengbu port phase two terminal started construction in December 2012, costing CNY274 million (US$45.17 million). It covers a quay length of 166 metres and has two 1,000-tonne multi-purpose berths with an annual container capacity of 55,000 TEU and break bulk capacity of 570,000 tonnes.
After the new terminal becomes operational, containerised cargo from the region can be shipped from it to Jiangsu province's sea port of Taicang and Lianyungang to the world.
In the past, there were no ports on the Huaihe River that could handle containers or overweight cargo, which resulted in most going to Yangtze River ports for shipping, said Chen Huaihu, director of Bengbu's port and shipping administration authority.
With the new terminal, containers from the region can now be shipped on river to sea ports and then abroad, which will save a great deal of cost for shippers and forwarders.
Bengbu is one of the 28 major river ports in China and the only national-level river port on the Huaihe River. The new terminal is said to play an important strategic role in Bengbu city and northern Anhui province's economic development.
(Source:shippingazette)