ANNUAL container throughput handled by China's Qingdao port for the first time breached the 5 million TEU mark in 2004. The record was set on December 17 last year, reported Xinhua News Agency.

It said container volumes for the international transit trade rose 29 per cent year-on-year which was attributed to the port launching 25 new sea routes; the opening of Xinjiang province's Alataw Shantou cross-border train passage that carriers cargo boxes between China and Russia, and increased demand from shippers for the Qingdao-Heze train line.

The report added that the enhancement of container transportation services are a key feature of the port's development strategy.

Meanwhile, China Shipping Container Line's (CSCL) Lianyungang New Oriental Container Terminal handled more than half a million TEU last year, 67 per cent more than in 2003 - representing the largest increase among the nation's ports, Xinhua reported quoting the company.

New services launched last year to the US west coast and Europe were partly responsible for the rise in box handling at the port in 2004.

CSCL Lianyungang also continued to develop port facilities last year, and signed an agreement to invest CNY3.6 billion (US$434.96 million) to build five container berths that can handle 6,000-TEU vessels at the northern Chinese port, Xinhua said.