The mainland port of Dalian recorded a 20.1 per cent increase in cargo throughput last year to 145.2 million tons, a rise of 24.2 million tons over 2005, the Dalian Port Group announced.

It was also reported that the port recorded new monthly highs on cargo throughput on five occasions last year with the highest increase rate at 45 per cent.

Meanwhile, Logistics Week reported that the port's container throughput shot up by 21.2 per cent to 3.2 million TEU, 680,900 TEU more than in 2005.

The publication also said four new container berths in the second phase of Dayaowan started operations last year, boosting Dalian capacity from 2.5 million TEU to 3.9 million TEU.

In 2006, Dalian Port introduced 17 shipping new services, comprising three long ocean services and 14 short ones.