[ Industry Steers Eastwards For - SHIPORT CHINA ‘98 ]

July 25-28, 1998 Dalian Xinghai Convention & Exhibition Centre

Focus of the maritime industry in 1998, Shiport China ‘98, the Intern
ational Ship Building, Port and Marine Technology and Transportation E
quipment Exhibition for China will take place from July 25-28, 1998 at
Dalian Xinghai Convention & Exhibition Centre, Dalian, China.
Organised by Business & Industrial Trade Fairs Ltd., Shiport China ‘9
8 is in direct response to the escalating market demand of shipping te
chnology in North China. Exhibits on display cover port industry such
as communication and computer networks, container and material handli
ng machinery, dredging equipment, hoisting equipment, operation and ma
nagement system etc.; shipbuilding industry such as air conditioning,
compasses, deck fittings, electrical engineering, propulsion engines,
pumps and seals, spare parts and accessories etc.; marine technology s
uch as environmental protection, navigation equipment, underwater clea
ning and repairs, waterway construction technology etc.; and transport
ation equipment like containers, conveyors, cranes, lifters, palletize
rs, picking system, racks, refrigeration systems, sorters etc.
The exploding development of foreign trade in China has onset a bloom
in China’s shipping industry. During the Eighth Five Year Plan(1990-
1995), the total value of China’s imports and exports reached USD1 tr
illion, which was 4 times the total during the Sixth Five Year Plan(19
80-1985). Since more than 90% of the trade is carried by sea, the busi
ness growth has been accompanied by a similar pace of development in C
hina’s sea transportation, making China one of the world’s foremost
maritime nations. As of January 1, 1996, China’s commercial shipping
fleet comprised no less than 22.5 million dwt which ranked China nint
h in the World. Experts forecst that the annual international box tra
ffic of China will continue to rise to 10 million TEUs by the year 200
0, up from 5.49 million TEUs in 1995.
Nowadays, China’s shipping sector has gradually opened up both intern
ally and externally.
Domestically, operation diversification has pushed the number of local
ly-owned shipping companies to 290 at the end of 1995. Total shipping
tonnage was up to 23.5 million dwt. At the same time, foreign invest
ments have become more active. As of the end of 1996, 15 large intern
ational shipping companies had established independent subsidiaries in
China and there were over 35 representative offices and liaison offic
es. Despite all these impressive changes, the ports in China and the
intermodal infrastructure still can hardly meet the skyrocketing econo
mic pace, particularly in the North region.
Among the major ports in China, Dalian perhaps is gaining the widest a
ttentions of international players for its immense potential. Dalian
Harbour provides now 58 berths, among which 28 are deepwater waitalble
for vessels up to 10 thousand dwt. Its 3 container terminals handle
an annual throughput of 100,000 TEU. Dalian also owns the largest shi
pyard in China, and the total yard capacity of the city now stands for
about 1/4 of China’s total output.
Recent economic development in the North region has induced pressure o
n Dalian port. As a result, series construction projects are now in pr
ogress. Among them include the new Da Yao Bay harbour. When finished
, the harbour will be one of the four largest deepwater entreports in
China, with annual throughput of 80 million tons.
To be held in Dalian, the transport hub of North China, Shiport China
‘98 serves international marketers in the maritime industry a direct
channel to get their latest technologies and services across to the Ma
inland users. The exhibition booths are now available for reservation
. For details, please contact Ms. Rebecca Chan of Business & Industri
al Trade Fairs Ltd.