China's maritime fleet has achieved significant growth, expanding its capacity to 430 million deadweight tonnes. This expansion represents 18.7 percent of the global total, as announced during a press conference in Shanghai on Tuesday.
From January to August 2024, China's cargo throughput at ports surpassed 11.5 billion tonnes, marking a 3.7 percent increase year-on-year. Additionally, container throughput reached 220 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), an 8.2 percent rise compared to the previous year.
The period also saw a substantial boost in rail-water intermodal transport through ports, with 7.78 million TEUs of containers, up 17.7 percent year-on-year. This growth was highlighted at the upcoming 2024 North Bund Forum, an international shipping conference scheduled for October 22 to 24 in Shanghai.
Gao Haiyun, an official from the water transport bureau under the Ministry of Transport, emphasized the construction of 49 automated port terminals nationwide, reinforcing China's leading position in global shipping infrastructure.
Shanghai is fast becoming an international shipping hub. In the first three quarters of this year alone, the Shanghai port handled over 39 million TEUs, reflecting an 8 percent increase year-on-year.
The 2024 North Bund Forum will focus on the digital, intelligent, and green development of global shipping services, aiming to foster sustainable and innovative practices within the maritime industry.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com