PHASE two of the city’s bonded port area has passed a customs inspection. Covering an area of 2.02 square kilometers, phase two includes nine container berths neighboring the port area’s phase one in the west. The opening of phase two will lead to a direct connection between the south and north of the port area, effectively integrating logistics, information and capital resources to improve the port area’s competitiveness. When completed, the area will cover 9.72 square kilometers. The completion of phase two brings its existing total area to 5.44 square kilometers, making it the largest among the country’s 14 bonded port areas except for those in Chongqing and Shanghai. The south of the port area is estimated to be able to achieve a container throughput that will see a 204-percent increase on last year. (Li Hao, Duan Xiaodong) | 