THE Port of Ningbo has posted a 12 per cent year-on-year increase in container throughput to 16.9 million TEU from January to November 25, making it the fastest growing port in China, reports IHS Maritime 360

Last year, Ningbo posted throughput of 16.8 million TEU, ranking it third among Chinese ports and sixth in the world.

According to Ningbo Port Group, the port's dedication to expanding container transport from northern and its efforts to promote sea-rail movement to inland provinces such as Jiangxi and Xinjiang drove its growth.

The port handled 110,000 TEU via sea-rail as of November 25, an increase of 20.3 per cent year on year, and its sea-rail throughput is expected to reach 130,000 TEU for full year 2014.

Ningbo Port Group president Xu Jianghua said the port planned to invest CNY4 billion (US$650 million) to develop its sea-rail transport.

The port operates 277 container services, including 113 international routes, and is projected to handle a total of 18 million TEU in 2014.