News / Port of Yantian dusts off pre-financial crisis plan to add 3m teu capacity

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As the southern Chinese gateway of Yantian begins clearing its considerable cargo backlog, after resuming full operations last week, the port is reportedly looking to add another 3m teu capacity.

According to Alphaliner today, Shenzhen Yantian Port Group (SYPG) and Hong Kong-headquartered terminal operator Hutchison Ports, 50:50 owners of Yantian International Container terminals, have revived an old plan to build a 3m teu facility to the east of the port.

Alphaliner says Hutchison and SYPG have formed a 50:50 ‘special purpose company’ to develop the Yantian East International Container Terminal, currently expected to cost $1.7bn.

Under the plan, first mooted in 2008, shortly before the onset of the global financial crisis, the project would see 1,470 metres of berth constructed – capable of handling three ULCVs simultaneously – with a yard area of some 120 ha.

Alphaliner said: “Such a facility had already been on the drawing board in the early 2000s, and much of the land reclamation for an expansion of Yantian port had already been completed more than a decade ago. The project, however, fell victim to the 2009 global economic crisis and, like many other infrastructure plans, it was quietly shelved.”

It added it did not expect the new facility to come onstream before 2025.