Port of Tangshan completes channel expansion project

Authorities at the Chinese Port of Tangshan in Hebei province have announced the completion of a project to expand the channel within its Jingtang port area, Xinhua reports.The work to extend and widen Jingtang port's existing sailing channel cost CNY140 million (US$17.77 million), and now that it has passed inspections by provincial authorities, the channel will be able to accommodate vessels weighing up to 100,000 tons. Owing to the rapid growth in cargo volumes handled by the Jingtang port area in recent years, Tangshan port's total throughput has grown from about 10 million tons in 2002 to 33.22 million tons in 2005. Cargo volumes are forecast to exceed 40 million tons by the end of 2006, and even grow to 100 million tons in 2010.