TOTAL container throughput in Shenzhen Port has reached 5.0775 million TEUs so far this year.

　　The port has witnessed a rapid growth of 50.77 percent compared with the same period last year, port authorities revealed yesterday.

　　If the growth rate continues, Shenzhen is expected to achieve a total throughput of 7 million TEUs before the end of the year.

　　Shenzhen’s total container handling last year was 5.076 million TEUs. This means that the city’s throughput in the past eight and a half months has surpassed the total for last year.

　　According to insiders in the city’s sea transportation sector, there are three key factors attributed to the rapid growth.

　　Improving economies in the United States, South Korea, Singapore and other countries have provided an amiable global environment for the city’s container handling growth this year.

　　Meanwhile, rapid economic growth in South China has also offered plenty of container business for Shenzhen Port.

　　According to latest statistics issued by the Shenzhen Customs, Guangdong’s import and export total reached US$137.56 billion during the first eight months this year, accounting for 35.9 percent of the country’s total.

　　Moreover, with the further improvement of port facilities and simplification of customs procedures, service quality and working efficiency in Shenzhen Port have also witnessed a big increase.

　　Shenzhen now has 78 international shipping lines and 11 lines to Hong Kong. It is said that there are more than 330 vessels calling at Shenzhen every month.