Iron ore influx puts Rizhao among Chinas top ports
Iron ore imports at Chinas Rizhao Port surged 184 percent year on year in the first half of 2005, moving Rizhao into fourth place in terms of iron ore imports in China. Rizhao Ports 11.87 million tons of iron ore imports (worth $844 million, up 147% year on year) saw the port take up position behind Qingdao Port, Tianjin Port and Ningbo Port. Recently adopted measures, such as permitting transporters to submit customs paperwork further in advance and to make tax payments via the internet, have allowed Rizhao Port to accelerate the movement of goods that pass through its terminals. This in turn has alleviated pressure from port congestion and has created an environment favorable to quick economic development. Rizhao Port, which can handle 250000-ton iron ore capacity vessels and which has an annual transshipment capacity of more than 25 million tons, is a key supplier of iron ore to Jinan Steel, Laiwu Steel and Rizhao Steel.