Ningbo-Zhoushan Port annual container throughput tops 40 million TEUs for first time

The Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in the eastern province of Zhejiang saw its annual container throughput surpassing 40 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) for the first time on Tuesday, making it the country's second and the world's third port to cross the milestone.

The port, which began container operations in 1984, reached the 30-million-TEU-mark only four years ago, showing a pace of growth that ranks it among the fastest-growing of the world's top five ports.

"The Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is currently the world's only port with two single terminals each able to handle more than 10 million TEUs. This year it added services to the Arctic Ocean, while total shipping routes have climbed above 300. The number of overseas logistics hubs has increased to 11, and rail-sea intermodal connections have expanded to 111," said Cen Jianjiang, deputy director of business at Ningbo Zhoushan Port Company Limited.

The port has also broadened its service chain through overseas warehouses and end-to-end logistics, building a global logistics network.

According to local customs authorities, the products passing through the port are largely high-end manufacturing goods.

"According to Ningbo Customs, mechanical and electrical products remained the dominant export from Ningbo Port in the first 10 months of this year, worth 913.42 billion yuan and accounting for 54 percent of the total. Exports from Ningbo's apparel industry and the 'new trio' -- electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products -- also stood out, reaching 265.35 billion yuan and 83.04 billion yuan respectively, both posting strong growth," said Wang Yu, deputy director of the supervision department with Ningbo Customs.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port annual container throughput tops 40 million TEUs for first time

The Brazilian arm of China's State Grid recently brought together Chinese and Brazilian employees for a unique celebration in Rio de Janeiro, as the Chinese Spring Festival and Rio Carnival coincided this year.

Rio Carnival runs from Feb 13 to 17, while the Spring Festival, which marks the start of the Chinese New Year and ushers in the Year of the Horse, will begin on Feb 17.

The celebration, held at State Grid Brazil’s headquarters, blended the traditions of the Chinese New Year with the vibrant energy and music of Brazil’s most iconic festival.

The program opened with a performance by a Brazilian dance company to mark the Chinese New Year, followed by high-energy samba music and colorful Carnival costumes. Employees also received personalized souvenirs of Chinese calligraphy featuring their names and traditional well wishes.

Ramon Haddad, vice president of State Grid Holding Brazil, said the company now operates 25 transmission concessions nationwide and that fostering joy and cultural exchange is central to its workplace culture.

"We have about 1,000 employees across Brazil, and we always want to bring Brazilians and Chinese together, celebrating both countries' holidays. As a binational company, we need to focus on integration," he said.

The company noted that the overlap of the Chinese New Year and Brazil's Carnival underscores shared themes of joy, renewal and hope for the future.

Since arriving in Brazil in 2010, State Grid has expanded its transmission network, which now carries about ten percent of the country's high-voltage electricity and helps deliver renewable energy, among other sources, to major consumer centers.

Chinese, Brazilians celebrate in Rio as holidays coincide