The Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group, which oversees operations at both Ningbo and Zhoushan ports, has entered the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).
The largest port complex in the world, Ningbo Zhoushan handled one billion tons of cargo in 2017, while the container handling volume of its sea-rail transport is expected to surpass 400,000 TEU this year.
The complex, which is also part of the Maritime Silk Road, expanded substantially as part of China’s Belt and Road initiative, and has the largest deep-water facilities in the country.
Olaf Merk reviews China's One Belt, One Road strategy in a recent Port Technology technical paper
Following last month’s Maritime Silk Road Port International Cooperation Forum, which took place in Ningbo, the port complex decided to join the association.
Discussing their newest member, IAPH President Santiago Garcia Milà said: “With the ever-growing impact of the Chinese Belt and Road strategy, we look forward to working together to boost trade and stimulate economic growth across Asia and beyond.
“This ties in very well with next year’s IAPH World Ports Conference, which we are organising in Guangzhou, at the historical origins of the Silk Road.”
