Xiamen port in China has received a CNY230 million (USD37 million) subsidy from the Ministry of Transport for the Phase IV expansion of the port‘s main channel, the port administration said today (29 May).
The channel will be expanded based on Phase III development completed in November 2013, which allows two-way navigation of 100,000 dwt box ships at high tide.
The main channel at Xiamen port has a total length of 34.8 km and will be expanded to accommodate 200,000 dwt vessels. The expansion would allow two-way navigation of 150,000 dwt and 200,000 dwt box ships with draft of 15.5 m, as well as 200,000 dwt bulk carriers and 200,000 dwt box ships with draft of 15.5 m at high tide.
Related news:China eases cabotage rules for five more ports
The total investment for the project is expected to be CNY700 million, with construction lasting for 30 months. Construction will begin during 2015.
The previous expansion, started in 2010 with a total investment of CNY450 million, saw the main channel expanded from 250-300 m to 410-450 m with a depth of 16 m.
The port has handled 205 million tonnes cargo and 8.57 million teu in 2014, an increase of 7.4% and 7.1%, respectively. It is projected that in 2018, the port cargo throughput will hit 300 billion tonnes, while its container volume will stand at 12 million teu.
This post was sourced from IHS Maritime 360: View the original article here.