SHENZHEN's western port areas - Shekou, Chiwan and Qianhai Bay - have posted robust growth in 2010 on the back of the recovery of the world economy.

Shekou Container Terminal handled 3.98 million TEU, an increase of 19 per cent year on year. Chiwan Container Terminal handled 5.9 million TEU, up 29 per cent.

The value of imports and exports shipped via the western port areas grew 25.1 per cent to US$50.1 billion. Export to the US valued $4.3 billion, up 46.3 per cent. Export to Brazil surged 44 per cent to $1.5 billion.

Last year, these port areas handled 10.8 million TEU of containerised import and export cargo, up 31 per cent, compared to 8.2 million TEU in 2009.

In 2010, customs of Qianhai Bay Bonded Port Area handled 12 million tonnes of import and exports.