ASIA

Shanghai now worlds busiest port

22 years ago

Shanghai overtook Rotterdam to become the worlds busiest port in 2004. Growth this year of 20% brought total throughput to 370 million tonnes, compared to the 350 million tonnes handled by Rotterdam, which is itself a record. Box traffic rose by 25% to14.5mTEUs, while that at Rotterdam was on course to exceed the 8mTEU mark. For 2005, Shanghai predicts handling around 390 million tonnes of cargo and 16.5mTEUs. Additional container traffic will be absorbed by the new box terminal costing US$330m which has been built in the ports Waigaoqiao zone.

Difficulties in reaching the tsunami stricken areas can be overcome with the use of the multimodal facilities available in Johor which is close to Sumatra. The port says the multimodal synergy between Senai and PTP will enable effective redistribution of essential relief items by sea or air.

A further 15mTEU facility is also under construction at Yangshan, some 30 kilometres distant from the main port. Here investment will total US$850m in the initial phase.