Guangzhou: Guangzhou's sole deepwater port, Nansha, will open two berths from its second phase of construction in the coming month. A further four berths will open up next year. The port, which opened in 2004, has seen throughput double each year and this year will likely surpass 2m teu. By the end of next year the port's capacity will pass 8m teu. Between 10 and 15 international shipping routes are likely to be added next year to dilute the image of the port which until recently had had as much as 80% of its throughput down to domestic transshipment. Nansha is 54km southeast of Guangzhou city centre and as well as boxes is focused on automotive and chemical shipments. Each year considerable dredging has to take place to ensure the port's deepwater status is retained.
Currently it is the leading port on the comparatively undeveloped western side of the Pearl river delta, though Hutchison's efforts at Gaolan near Zhuhai continue to create waves.
Cosco Pacific and APM Terminals are the two container terminal operators who have taken slices in Nansha.
Nansha's prosperity would likely be seriously flawed were the proposed T-shaped bridge linking Hong Kong to Zhuhai and Macau ever to see the light of day. In the meantime, though, Nansha looks set to hoover up massive box potential. [21/11/06]
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