Located at the southeastern end of Shandong Peninsula, Rizhao Port has been designated as the eastern terminus of the New Eurasian Continental Bridge, connecting China to Rotterdam in the Netherlands and several points in between.

Such potential and unique geographical advantages have greatly fueled the development of the port and made it an important regional logistics hub for container shipping, bulk cargo, iron ore and crude oil.

"We will better utilize our regional advantages and make the port not only a pivotal transport hub connecting to Eurasian regions but also one of China's top centers for marine and near-port industries by 2015," said Du Chuanzhi, president of Rizhao Port Group.

Du said that the port is now home to 46 berths that can handle ships weighing 300,000 tons each, and wharfs that can handle 300,000 tons of crude oil and 200,000 tons of ore.

It holds a world record for speed, with each ship capable of loading 9,786 tons of ore per hour and 9,486 tons of coal per hour.

The port has realized rapid development during the 11th Five-Year plan period (2006-2010), with an average annual growth of 20.1 percent.

Its overall throughput capacity amounted to 252.6 million tons in 2011, ranking ninth among China's seaports. The port's throughput capacity for iron ore, grain, timber and cement outranked all other ports in the country.

The throughput capacity is expected to hit 280 million tons by the end of this year and exceed 300 million tons by 2015.

The booming development of the port has also fueled nearby industries. Industries in the vicinity of the port now include steel, energy, petrochemicals, grain processing, papermaking, shipbuilding, fisheries, wood processing, automobile engines and parts, as well as logistics.

The shipbuilding sector focuses on ocean transport ships, yachts and sports boats. By 2015, the revenue generated by the sector is projected to reach 30 billion yuan ($4.7 billion).

Its papermaking sector produces wood pulp, coated paper and newsprint. By 2015, the production capacity will reach 4 million tons, making Rizhao the largest papermaking center in China and the second largest in Asia.

Its petrochemical sector is expected to generate more than 100 billion yuan in revenue by 2015, with an annual oil refining capacity of 20 million tons.

wangqian2@chinadaily.com.cn