From January to September, the Port of Shenzhen's container throughput increased 14 per cent year on year to 15.34 million TEU and cargo throughput rose 13 per cent to 146 million tons, Xinhua reported.

During this period, Yantian International Container Terminals Ltd. handled 6.7 million TEU, up 11.5 per cent. Chiwan Wharf Holdings Ltd. lifted 4.5 million TEU, up 16.9 per cent. Shekou port area, owned by China Merchants, handled 3.56 million TEU, up 13.7 per cent.

Forty-seven point three per cent of Shenzhen's box throughput was handled by the eastern port areas and 52.7 per cent was handled by the western port areas. Loaded containers accounted for 64.5 per cent while empties took up 35.5 per cent.

In September, Shenzhen's box volume for the fourth time since June broke the monthly record, rising 15.6 per cent over the same month last year to 2.05 million TEU. The port handled 1.7 million TEU in June, 1.85 million TEU in July and 1.9 million TEU in August.

The Port of Shenzhen's throughput is expected to reach 21 million TEU or 200 million tons by the end of this year.