The YuanHai Container Terminal, in the Haicang Free Trade area of the city of Xiamen, Fujian province, will be China's first fully automated container terminal when it goes into trial operation this November, news.xmnn.cn reported, on Feb 7.

The terminal's entire work flow is controlled by an intelligent system, giving it a greater degree of efficiency than most other ports. It is expected to have an annual throughput of 780,000 - 910,000 TEUs, an increase of 20 - 40 percent.

Yan Yunfu, executive vice-president of Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC), the world's biggest port machinery manufacturer, with about a 70-percent market share, had this to say about the development: "Because Haicang has a favorable investment environment, Shanghai ZPMC would like to provide the terminal's equipment as a cooperative partner."

Yan went on to say that ZMPC has provided a detailed design of equipment for the terminal, and, "We're confident that the quality of the machines we provide will get the job done reliably and efficiently."

Spending on the terminal amounts to 658 million yuan ($1.08 million), in a joint venture with the China Ocean Shipping Co (COSCO), China's largest global shipping, logistics group, which also handles ship-building and repairs.

By Lu Ting from China Daily Fujian Bureau, and Zhao Qian

Edited by Roger Bradshaw