Rizhao Port and Lianyungang compete for the Port of Dongfang Qiaotou

Who will become the true Eastern Bridgehead Port, Shandong Rizhao Port or Jiangsu Lianyungang Port? During the 11th Five Year Plan period, both Shandong and Jiangsu provinces invested heavily in the construction of two ports. Between Qingdao and Shanghai, both ports are vying to become regional major ports.

At the "Brand Miles" event organized by the Ministry of Commerce, He Zhaoqing, Deputy General Manager of Rizhao Port Group, said that it is expected that the throughput will reach 100 million tons in 2006, entering the ranks of billion ton ports. The 11th Five Year Plan will invest another 10 billion yuan to build 34 productive berths. The annual approved throughput capacity of the port reaches over 200 million tons. Meanwhile, Rizhao Port has completed its listing preparation and all procedures have been completed. It will be scheduled to be listed on the A-share Shanghai Stock Exchange.

The increase in cargo volume in Rizhao ranks first in the country

Last year, the throughput of Rizhao Port reached 84.21 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 64.9%, ranking first in the country in terms of growth rate and ranking among the top ten coastal ports in China. At present, there are thirty-two productive berths. Among them, there are 27 berths with a capacity of over 10000 tons. The area of the port has reached nine square kilometers.

He Zhaoqing said that Rizhao Port, together with Lianyungang, is known as the eastern bridgehead of the New Eurasian Continental Bridge, with basically the same hinterland. Currently, the competition between the two ports is not only limited to the enterprises themselves, but has also expanded to urban economic regions. It has even deepened to the economic competition between the provinces of Jiangsu and Shandong.

At the government level, Shandong Province has issued the "Opinions on Accelerating the Development of Coastal Ports", which aims to initially build a Northeast Asia International Shipping Center by 2010, with Qingdao Port as the leader, Rizhao and Yantai Ports as the two wings, and the Peninsula Port Group as the foundation; Build three billion ton ports: Qingdao Port, Rizhao Port, and Yantai Port (including Longkou Port).

At present, the key port projects completed and under construction in Rizhao Port mainly include: 2 coal dedicated berths with the deepest draft of 150000 tons in China, 1 crude oil terminal with the largest draft of 300000 tons in China, 1 specialized berth for cassava chips and wood with the largest and most advanced draft of 40000 tons in Jiangbei, 2 container berths with the deepest draft and largest rear yard in China, 1 ore terminal with the largest draft of 350000 tons and 250000 tons each in China, 1 bulk grain berth with the largest draft of 80000 tons in China, and 1 liquid chemical berth with the largest draft of 50000 tons in Jiangbei.

Lianyun clarifies the development of combination ports

Officials in Lianyungang city stated that the local government has clearly defined the idea of building a port cluster and developing a combination port, gradually building Lianyungang into a billion ton port with priority for container development, and becoming the most important mainline port between Qingdao and Shanghai. Lianyungang will ensure its position as the eastern bridgehead of the Eurasian Continental Bridge.

To this end, the construction of a 150000 ton deepwater channel in Lianyungang has been launched, and a number of key projects such as the sixth generation container terminal, 250000 ton ore terminal, and 300000 ton crude oil unloading project have started construction. The Haitou Port with a total investment of 5.7 billion yuan in the northern wing is about to be launched, and the Guanhekou Port Group in the southern wing is actively promoting (Ma Haoliang)