|  | Excerpt from: China Supply Chain and Logistics Strategy
| | | October 17, 2005 | | Wuhan Port a Strategic Hub for Central China | Wuhan lies mid-way between Shanghai and Chongqing on the Yangtze River and is the largest hub port in central China, serving Hubei Province and Henan Province in the north and Hunan Province in the south. It also sits astride the main north-south rail routes from Beijing to southern China. Wuhan serves as a major hub for coal shipments to other parts of China and is also a major steel production center.
There are five major port facilities handling cars, containers, coal, passengers, iron ore and steel: 252 million tons in 2004. Port expansion plans include the new port at Yang Luo which will have 6 container berths (800,000 TEU capacity) and a bulk terminal facility.
Port Facilities in Wuhan
Wuhan International Container Transhipment Company (WITC)
WITC is a private port facility on the Yangtze, a joint venture controlled by Hong Kong-based China Infrastructure Group (CIG) who hold 56.1% of the shares. Wuhan Yangluo Development Company hold 38.8% and the balance of 5.1% is held by Wuhan Harbour Group Company. WITC began operations in February 2004 and has handled 20,000 TEU’s since then. Its expected throughput in 2005 is 100,000 TEU, and it is planning to construct another berth this year.
By 2010 a further 4 berths will be constructed and it is expected that throughput will be 1.6 million TEU. The customs service is already on site and one bonded warehouse has been established. Most of the finance for future expansion will be provided by the present shareholders, but it is expected that some new investment will be provided by banks and private individuals.
The port is able to handle vessels with a capacity of 400 TEU, with the vessel size restricted by both the river depth and the air draft. 80% of all vessels using this facility are either inbound or outbound from/to Shanghai. The ratio of imports to exports currently stands at 6 to 4. A computerized terminal management system has been brought in by CIG and appears to be specifically designed for this terminal.
Wuhan Port Group
In Wuhan, there are five port areas:
- Zhuan Kou in the Economic Development Zone, mainly for cars and fuel, Citron, Nissan, Honda, also receives cars from Chongqing and Shanghai
- Han Yang Port is the largest in Wuhan: containers and coal, 2004 – 140,000 TEU with a capacity of 200,000 TEU. Current coal throughput is 3 million ton.
- Han Kou old port situated in the city centre, will be closed and converted into a commercial & tourist area. It handles mostly passenger traffic. The cargo facility is being reduced and will be shifted to other ports.
- Qinshan is located near the Wuhan Steel Group and is used for iron ore imports and steel exports.
- Yang Luo is the new port and is the focus for new development. Eventually, the ports within the urban area will be relocated here. Yang Lo will be transformed into the largest port in Wuhan and will eventually also take bulk coal. The next phase of Yang Lo (development of 4 berths), will be constructed jointly by the port group and CIG. The capacity at Yang Lo when all 6 berths are complete will be 800,000 TEU.
There is a possibility that 2 more container berths will be constructed at Han Yang by 2007. In 1998 the throughput of all 5 ports was 137 million tons; in 2004 it was 252 million tons. Container throughput has increased from 3,020 TEU in 1990 to 170,000 TEU in 2004.
A further port, Zuo Ling, is under construction, being solely for chemicals.
Recently, the ownership of Wuhan Port Group has changed with investment from Shanghai based port organisations. The new company structure is: Wuhan Municipal State Assets Commission (45%), Shanghai Port Group (30%) and Shanghai Port Container Company (25%). The total registered capital is RMB670 million.
Source: UK TRADE
& INVESTMENT SCOPING REPORT ON CHINA: THE YANGTZE RIVER PORTS OF
CHANGZHOU, NANJING, WUHAN and CHONGQING
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