SHENZHEN port authorities have announced that container throughput in January rose 17.4 per cent compared to the same period in 2003.

The Ministry of Communication reported that Shenzhen handled 930,000 TEU last month.

The total throughput for the port was up 23 per cent at 10.55 million tons, while foreign throughput accounted for 6.3 million tons, marking an increase of 32 per cent.

The ministry has predicted that the volume of containers handled at Shenzhen port will reach new record highs this year.

Mainland authorities also announced that China Shipping started operating a direct container service from Lianyungang to the United States on February 9.