Chinese port’s staggering export rise - and air cargo gets a boost

Shihu Port in Quanzhou Bay in the Fujian province of China reported a 50 percent increase in bulk cargo handled for foreign trade in 2005 compared with 2004. It handled 101 820 tons of bulk cargo during 2005. This included exports of 61 603 tons, a staggering 1 700 percent up on
the lowly 3 493 tons recorded the previous year, according to Zinhau News Agency. Statistics show that the number of containers inspected at the port rose 29,6% over the past year and the variety of goods passing through the young port is also increasing. In a related development, plans to build a bonded warehouse at the facility have been given the green light. In yet another expansion in China, FedEx has begun construction of an 82 000m2 Asia Pacific Hub at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. The hub will be capable of sorting up to 24 000 packages per hour and is expected open in 2008, according to a company statement.