KFT to launch Thailand and Japan services
Two 500 to 700-teu (20 ft equivalent units) vessels would be deployed on each.
Mr Zhou said the KFT-Japan service would handle mainly cargo imported from the Pearl River Delta and Fujian province by Japanese companies while the Chiwan-Bangkok service would handle cargo mainly imported from Bangkok to southern China. Much of the Thai cargo was expected to be perishables such as fruits which would be shipped in refrigerated containers.
Mr Zhou said KFT offered shippers competitive rates for container handling because the port operator also was the landlord.
KFT's container-handling costs are one-third cheaper than Hong Kong rates, due to cheaper labour.
KFT - which is owned jointly by Chiwan Wharf Holdings, Kerry Properties (HK) and Top Glory Holdings (HK) - offers a package deal covering barge services, door-to-door transport, issuance of bills of lading, customs clearance and warehousing through sister companies.
Asked whether Shenzhen ports - Chiwan, Shekou and Yantian - would take container business from Hong Kong, Mr Zhou said there was enough cargo for everybody because foreign trade, which made up 30 to 40 per cent of the mainland's total trade, was still growing.
KFT, which forecasts a container throughput of 300,000 teu this year, has seen a steady increase in container business since 1994.
The firm, which has two berths each with a design capacity of 250,000 teu, is investing US$10 million to build a third berth with 250,000-teu capacity. Its stacking yard will be operational in August.
Mr Zhou said KFT had bought two post-Panamax gantry cranes, the first to be delivered in January. Three rubber-tyred cranes would be delivered in February.
There were plans to build two further berths as needed.
Shenzhen Municipal Port Authority vice-director Zhang Weizhong said development of the Tonggu channel west of Shekou would be carried out this year.
China Merchants Holdings has formed a joint venture with the Shenzhen municipal government to carry out the waterway dredging project, which will allow access for vessels up to 100,000 deadweight tonnes.
The three-year waterway project, which is expected to cost at least 600 million yuan (about HK$558 million), will boost container business at Chiwan and Shekou ports.
At present, ocean-going vessels have to transit the narrow Ma Wan channel to reach Shekou and Chiwan. Large vessels can enter or leave the two ports only during high tide.
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