Weifang port's first container shipping line launched as short-sea service

WEIFANG, a port in eastern Shandong province, has inaugurated its first container shipping service, which is a short-sea line to another Shandong port of Yantai, Xinhua reports.

The new service is said to be a convenient, cost-efficient way of moving cargo from Weifang's hinterland and will help to boost the regional economy.

Weifang port currently has three berths of 10,000 tonnes, four of 5,000 tonnes, five of 3,000-tonnes and four of 1,000 tonnes, with a quay length of 2,105 metres. It has a capacity of 8.92 million tonnes and is handling nearly 20 million tonnes per year.

Shortly after launch of the service, the port also started another container line, linking Jingtang port and Jinzhou port. Its maiden voyage carried 150 TEU from Jinzhou to Weifang.

Weifang is also in talks with carriers and port operators on the launch of another container service connecting to south eastern port of Quanzhou and southern China's Guangzhou.