Joint venture container terminal in Qingdao begins operations

Originally expected to open in the second half of 2011, the joint venture container terminal opened for business well ahead of schedule.

NOL, together with SITC International Holdings Company Limited, a PRC-based shipping logistics company, earlier formed a partnership with Qingdao Qianwan United Container Terminal Co., Ltd. (QQCTU) in May 2011 to operate the terminal.

Singapore-based NOL said the terminal will primarily serve vessels operated by APL and SITC. APL makes more than 200 port calls annually at Qingdao, linking the city and Shandong province, as well as its neighboring provinces to international markets through APL’s global shipping network. The terminal as per NOL has an annual capacity of 1.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).