Mailiao Industrial Port hit record loading/unloading amount in May

Taipei, June 28, 2004 (CENS)--The Mailiao Industrial Port hit a three-year high record in cargo loading/unloading amount and the number of entering/exiting vessels in May, according to statistics compiled by the Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

IDB said the port loaded/unloaded five million metric tons of cargo and saw 226 vessels entering and leaving in May. It is projected the port will see cargo loading/unloading amount reach 48 million metric tons this year, outnumbering Taichung Port.

The Industrial Port Management Panel under the IDB said Taiwan's four leading ports, including Keelung, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Mailiao, saw an annual growth of over 10% in cargo loading/unloading in the first quarter of this year, indicating domestic economy is enjoying a strong recovery.

Statistics conducted by the panel showed Kaohisung, Taichung, Keelung, and Miaoliao ports saw cargo loading/unloading volumes reach 38 million, 12 million, eight million and 12 million metric tons, respectively, in the first quarter of this year.

The Miaoliao Port saw cargo loading/unloading volume exceed five million metric tons in May. Of this, oil products amounted to 2.85 million metric tons, accounting for 56% of the total, followed by coal with 1.45 million metric tons with a 30% share. Other major commodities included chemical products, industrial salts and sundries.

The panel noted the Mailiao Port grows at the pace of 30% annually in cargo loading/unloading volume. Based on the growth rate, the port will see the amount reach 48 million metric tons this year even reach the goal of 51 million metric tons set at the time when the port was inaugurated three years ago.

To help the Mailiao Port upgrade its operating efficiency, the IDB's panel is actively promoting electronic operations, including the issuance of inward/outward permits for ships and video conferencing. The e-operations will shorten the time frame in shipping. Furthermore, the port will install a remote monitoring system to enhance security around the port area.

Seeing the bright prospects of the Mailiao port, IDB has recently worked out a plan to set up a free trade port in the southern area of Mailiao Port. IDB said it has submitted the construction project of the free trade port to the MOEA, which will be transferred to the Cabinet-level Council for Economic Planning and Development for review.

IDB said the proposed free trade port will occupy a land area of 92 hectares in the south of the Mailiao Port. At the free trade port, a total of 10 public wharves will be erected. In the initial construction stage, two public wharves will be built to attract warehousing and deep-processing firms to station in.