TIANJIN port handled 152 million tons of freight over the first nine months of the year, an increase of 25.2 per cent over the same period last year.

The amount handled means Tianjin is now the third busiest port in mainland China after Shanghai and Ningbo, according to Xinhua News Agency. The newswire also said that Tianjin Port is expected to handle more than 200 million tons of freight for the year, which compares to the 162 million tons of cargo handled in 2003.

By 2010, it is estimated that Tianjin will be able to handle 300 million tons of seafreight and 10 million TEU each year, after CNY27.3 billion (US$3.29 billion) has been invested in port development projects there, the report added.