Xingang Port News

All chemical, oil and LPG terminals in Tianjin port are closed following immense warehouse explosions that left dozens dead and hundreds more injured yesterday in Tianjin, China, advises maritime and cargo services provider Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS). The region was blasted as shipments of explosives caught fire and triggered explosions that rocked the Tianjin industrial port, which serves as a gateway to Beijing and major base for petrochemicals, refining and other industries. The port authority has arranged some un-berthing of bulk ships from midday local time, ISS said, but noted there is no schedule for vessels berthing. It is unknown when the terminals will reopen.

Evergreen Line's 1140-TEU Uni-Adroit set sail across the 100-mile-wide Taiwan Straits for China's northern Xingang port on December 15, 2009 opening a new era of direct ocean shipping following a ceremony at Kaohsiung harbor overseen by Taiwan's President Ma Yin-Jiu. The direct link ends a nearly 60-year suspension of such services between Taiwan and the China mainland. The new direct service was accelerated with the election and inauguration of President Ma earlier this year. The two nations signed an agreement in November to ensure the opening of trade as beneficial to both economies.