70 percent of all goods transported worldwide go by sea – not the fastest, but certainly the most environmentally friendly and the most cost-effective method. Many of the key players in this industry will be showcasing their part in this global flow of goods at transport logistic China, which takes place from 17 to 19 June 2008 in Shanghai.

As Germany´s biggest port and maritime logistics interchange, Hamburg is not only the gateway to northern and eastern Europe, but it is now also a centre for Chinese interest. Over 400 Chinese firms have established a base on the Elbe, forming a dense network of businesses. Each year 40 more join them. Among the Chinese shipping lines based here are the major players Cosco, OOCL and the China Shipping Container Line CSCL. The Asian countries are Hamburg´s main trading partners, with the Peoples´ Republic of China leading the list with 19.7 percent. The most important growth area is container traffic, which in 2006 reported double-digit increases. 2.6 million TEUs (20-foot standard containers), or 29 percent of all containers handled in this Hanseatic port were China transports. Logistics partners are engaged at both ends of the sea transport, to ensure smooth operation of the various feeder and delivery processes in China as well as at the destinations, by air, road, rail and on water.

The German Statistical Office estimates that by 2010 German trade with China will rise to over 100 billion euros. Germany is China´s leading trading partner in the EU. In terms of German exports, China is the most important non-European trading partner, after the US, and the third-largest trading nation worldwide.

New container giants for the Asia-Europe route

The Chinese government is expecting container traffic in China´s sea ports to rise to 100 million TEUs by 2010. The port of Shanghai is well equipped to deal with any increase, thanks to its new Yangshan Container Terminal, which is linked to the mainland via a 31-km long bridge. At the end of 2005 the first berths went into operation at Yangshan. By the end of 2007 handling capacity at Yangshan is predicted to reach 5.5 million TEUs. By 2020, this is to be successively expanded to a total of 25 million TEUs and 50 berths.
Located along the banks of the 6,300-km Yangtze River are China´s most important and biggest trading cities. Leading transport and logistics, trading, manufacturing and industrial firms have established bases here.
Last year alone container traffic at the ports on the Yangtze rose by 42 percent to a total of 3.8 million TEUs. And the figure is still rising. The Chinese government expects that by 2010 one billion tonnes of goods will be moved along the Yangtze, which at present is only being used at 20% capacity.

In September the new flagship of the Chinese Cosco Container Lines Ltd. berthed for the first time in the port of Hamburg. ‘Cosco Asia’, with a capacity of 10,062 TEUs, is the largest container ship so far to have docked in Hamburg. Discharging and loading the cargo was handled by HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort (CTT).

Built in the Korean shipyard of Hyundai Heavy Industries, this giant container ship is 349 metres long, 45.60 metres wide and has a maximum draught of 14.50 m. The ship has a capacity of 10,062 TEUs and is being used by Cosco on the ‘AE4’ Asia-Europe service. On its maiden voyage to Europe, the ship also called in at Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Singapore, Xiamen, Yantian, Hong Kong and Nansha. The shipyard is planning a further seven new ships of this size by the end of 2008, for use on the China-Europe route. The ports are now gearing up to cope with the expanded capacity by deepening channels and widening docks. The cooperation partners for the seamless transhipment of goods at the start and end of a sea journey will be gathered together at transport logistic China, organised for the third time by Messe München from 17 to 19 June 2008.

About transport logistic China
transport logistic China, the meeting point for logistics, telematics and transportation, is being held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in China for the third time from 17 to 19 June 2008. More than 300 exhibitors from 33 countries presented their products and services at transport logistic China 2006 and Air Cargo China 2006. Over 9.000 visitors from 81 countries attended the international trade fair, which also featured an extensive programme of related events and conferences.

About Messe München International (MMI)
Messe München International (MMI, Munich Trade Fairs International Group) is one of the world´s leading trade-fair companies. It organises around 40 trade fairs for capital and consumer goods, and key high-tech industries. Each year over 30,000 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, and over two million visitors from more than 200 countries take part in the events in Munich. In addition, MMI organises trade fairs in Asia, Russia, the Middle East and South America. With four subsidiaries abroad – in Europe and in Asia – and with 66 foreign representatives serving 89 countries, MMI has a truly global network.

Press contact:
Henrike Burmeister, transport logistic China 2008 Press Office
Tel. +49 89 / 949-20 245, Fax +49 89 / 949-20249
Henrike.Burmeister@messe-muenchen.de

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