DA CHAN Bay Terminal One in Shenzhen has welcomed the launch of a direct feeder service to and from Hong Kong, following the inaugural arrival at the terminal of the Yue Hui Hai 118 from Hong Kong.

The ship loaded with imported equipment is operated by Ever Harvest Shipping Limited & Xiamen Harvest Shipping Limited, which is one of the main feeder service providers between Hong Kong and mainland China.

All relevant customs clearance and cargo inspection procedures were carried out at Da Chan Bay Terminal One, which has been able to perform such activities since signing a memorandum of understanding with Shenzhen Customs in May of this year, a company statement said.

The agreement has paved the way for Da Chan Bay Customs to handle feeders calling directly at the facility from Hong Kong with effect from July 1.

Da Chan Bay Terminal One is situated in the western Shenzhen Port area in South China. It is a new international container terminal serving the Pan-Pearl River Delta cargo catchment areas. Modern Terminals Limited holds 65 per cent of its shares, while Shenzhen Dachan Bay Port Investment and Development Co, Ltd hold the remaining 35 per cent.

The terminal covers an area measuring 112 hectares with five berths along its quayside that is 1,830 metres long and 600 metres wide. The terminal was opened with initially two berths in December 2007. The other three berths are expected to be completed later this year. Its quay depth is initially 15.5 metres and will be dredged up to 18 metres in future to handle the world's largest container ships.