The recent opening of the new berths at the Port Felixstowe – the only ones in the UK capable of handling the largest ships on order – will play a vital role in helping to facilitate future trade between China and the UK, the Chinese transport minister said on a visit to the port this week.
Li Shenglin said: “It places Felixstowe firmly within a very small group of ports that will act as major hubs on this most important route. I am glad that Chinese shipping lines, Cosco and China Shipping, are both calling at this port and I wish both Chinese shipping lines and Hutchison will play an increasingly role in Sino-UK trade.” Whilst at the port Mr Li met with Hutchison Port executives and toured the port’s new berths 8 &9.
As well as being the largest container port in the UK, Felixstowe is also the largest port for containerised trade with China. The port has daily connections with China and the new berths have significantly boosted capacity at the port.
Clemence Cheng, managing director of Hutchison Port Holdings Central Europe Division, said: “It is a great honour for us that Mr Li has chosen to visit the Port of Felixstowe. China is the major player in the world’s container trades and the largest source of traffic to and from north Europe.”
