FUJIAN authorities have come up with a multi-billion CNY blueprint to develop port facilities in the province over the next 40 years, Xinhua reported.

The agency quoted the Vice Provincial Governor, Wang Xiaojing, as saying that Fujian possessed the most valuable coastal resources in China for deep-water ports that remained underdeveloped.

The report cited statistics from the Fujian Provincial Communication Department which showed that the province's continental coastline measured 3,324 kilometres, equivalent to one-sixth of the nation's coast.

The figures also showed that deep-water berths that are able to handle vessels of at least 50,000 tonnes, could be built in seven bays along a stretch of 190 kilometres coastline. It also said another stretch - measuring 40 kilometres - had been identified to develop berths to handle ships of up to 300,000 tonnes.

At present there are 507 berths in Fujian with a total capacity of 89.21 million tonnes, and 2.85 million TEU. The report said Fujian province lacked deep water berths to accomodate large modern international shipping vessels.

Under the plan, the first target date is 2010 when its hoped that the province's total capacity will be boosted to 300 million tonnes, and 12 million TEU.

In 2020, its hoped that three additional ports will become operational, each with a capacity of 100 milion tonnes. The report said that by then, the province's total capacity will reach 600 million tonnes, and 25 million TEU.

Xinhua said the final target of 2040 will see shipping in Fujian becoming the most important industry in the province with the port being transformed into a major transit hub for modern logistics operations.