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In 1961China established a state-run maritime shipping company and subsequently signed shipping agreements with many countries, laying the foundation for developing the country's ocean transport. That organization developed into the present-day China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO). The Chinese government also invested heavily in water transport infrastructure, constructing new ports and rebuilding and enlarging older facilities.
A major effort has also been made to increasemechanization andcontainerization at major international ports.
China'sshipping industry andcontainer transportation have reached international standards both in handling efficiency and building networks.
The governmental responsibility of the shipping industry is under theMinistry of Transport.
The number of container units handled by Chinese ports in 2011 reached more than 150 million. The country also manufactures 90% of the world's containers.
The throughput of cargo and containers at China's ports has been the largest in the world for the past five years, with an annual growth rate of 35%.
The development of China's shipping industry began in 1961 with the establishment of a state-run maritime shipping company. The first significant milestone occurred in September 1973, when the country received its first overseas container atTianjin Port. This event marked the beginning of containerized shipping in China, leading to the creation of the first container berth in 1980.
During the 1990s, the industry experienced rapid growth, with China surpassing the United States in 2002 to become the world's largest handler of containers. By 2006, the country managed 5.6 billion tons ofcargo and 93 million TEUs (20-foot container equivalent units). ThePort of Shanghai emerged as the world's busiest port, handling 530 million tons of cargo annually.
Water transportation has played a crucial role in China'sforeign trade, accounting for over 90% of cargo delivery. This includes 95% of importedcrude oil and 99% of importediron ore. The strategic development of container shipping has further integrated China's inland regions into the global market, creating a seamless connection between coastal ports and inland waterways.
China's extensivecoastline stretches over 14,000 kilometers (8,700-mile), featuring 100 bays and 20 deepwater harbors, most of which remain ice-free year-round. The country's coastal shipping network is divided into two principal zones: the northern and southern marine districts. The northern district, administered from Shanghai, extends fromXiamen to the North Korean border. The southern district, with Guangzhou as its administrative center, covers the area from Xiamen to theVietnamese border.
Major ocean-going routes originate from key ports such asDalian,Qinghuangdao,Tianjin,Qingdao,Shanghai,Huangpu,Zhanjiang, orHong Kong.
Shanghai, historically the leading port of China, was briefly eclipsed by Hong Kong following its reintegration into China in 1997.
On June 23, 2007, renovations on the section of theYangtze River betweenLuzhou andChongqing, also known as theHu-Yu Sea Route, have been completed. These renovations mean that ships over a thousand tons can now arrive in Luzhou.
Before the renovations, the Hu-Yu Sea Route was unable to suitably support the shipping needs of theSichuan economy. In October 2005, renovations started with a total investment of 120 millionyuan (US$15.7 million). After two years of work, the Hu-Yu Route channel has been significantly enlarged to a depth of 2.7 meters and a width of 50 meters. The result is that vessels as large as 3000 tons can now navigate the Hu-Yu Sea Route.
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Greek firms have managed to capture the immense expansion of South East Asia and particularly Europe. Dry bulk shipping firms dealing in iron and coal have benefited from the development.
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