The port of Xiamen posted double-digit growth in cargo and container throughput in the first quarter this year. [Photo/xmnn.cn]

The port of Xiamen posted double-digit growth in cargo and container throughput in the first quarter this year, according to Wu Shunbin, head of the Xiamen Port Authority.

In recent years, the port's container shipping business has been developing rapidly. Statistics show that its container throughput increased from 1.08 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2000 to more than 10 million TEUs in 2017. In 2020, the port saw its annual container throughput surpass 11.4 million TEUs, a 2.54 percent year-on-year increase and accounting for 66 percent of Fujian's total.

The international competitiveness of the port has been enhanced over the years, and it ranked 14th globally and seventh nationwide in terms of container throughput.

"Xiamen Port will further improve its business environment and build itself into a world-class port in an effort to turn Xiamen into an international shipping center," said Wu.

Wu added that the port is expected to achieve a total container throughput of 12 million TEUs this year, up 5.2 percent year-on-year, while its cargo throughput will expand by 3.9 percent year-on-year to 215 million metric tons.

Xiamen Port will leverage the combined strengths of the international shipping center and continue exploring new ways to carry out its responsibilities in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative. Xiamen will also propel the construction of a world-class port within the next five years, according to Wu.