THE Port of Shenzhen has posted a 23.3 per cent container handling gain to 22.5 million TEU in 2010, and an overall cargo throughput increase of 14.1 per cent to 221 million tonnes, with foreign trade accounting for 21.4 million TEU, up 24.5 per cent.

As the economy improves, Xinhua reports, Guangdong provincial ports posted a robust container growth of 22.3 per cent in 2010 to 45 million TEU, reversing the gloomy situation in 2009.

Tonnage through these ports increased 20 per cent to 1.2 billion tonnes. Foreign trade cargo totalled 439 million tonnes, up 15.7 per cent.

The Port of Guangzhou's container throughput grew 11.8 per cent to 12.5 million TEU. Cargo throughput tonnage increased 12.5 per cent to 410 million tonnes.

Southern Guangdong's Port of Zhanjiang lifted 320,200 TEU, up 38.2 per cent. Its throughput tonnage rose 15.2 per cent to 136 million tonnes.

The Port of Shantou, in the east of the province, handled 923,700 TEU of boxes, up 12.6 per cent. It recorded a cargo tonnage of 35.1 million tonnes, up 13.1 per cent.

The quick recovery of foreign trade has been the reason for the thriving situation. Guangdong recorded a trade value of US$784.7 billion last year, up 28.4 per cent year on year.