An official with the port authority explained that the move would further improve container transport services at Fangcheng Port and lay a good foundation for developing efficient door-to- door transport services.

Located on the northern shore of the Beibu Gulf, Fangcheng Port now has 27 berths, including 12 deep-water berths.

The port has established business ties with 184 ports in 68 countries and regions and is considered as the most convenient sea outlet for southwest Chinese regions to Southeast Asia and other parts of the world.

In its efforts to expand container transport services, the port also built a berth late last year in cooperation with railway departments to handle containers transported to the port via trains.

It has also constructed another berth, with a designed annual capacity for handling 200,000 TEUs, which is considered the largest of its kind in southeast China and will soon be put into service.

(Xinhua 06/11/2001)