The deep-water port of Nansha in Guangzhou, a city of 15 million people in the vicinity of Hong Kong, has doubled the number of direct connections with North Europe and West Africa, following the arrival of the Elly Maersk.
The Elly Maersk departed from Nansha for Rotterdam on 28 July; the first departure of the new 2M service, doubling the number of direct departures from Nansha to Rotterdam. The Ocean Alliance also already has direct connections with this fastest growing port in the south of China.
Nansha port started international departures ten years ago, quickly becoming the most important port for ‘Africa Trades’ from the south of China.
Direct departures to and from Europe (NWC and MED) and the west coast of North America were only added in recent years. With a throughput of over 14 million TEU, Nansha has already surpassed Europe’s largest container ports.
"The Port of Nansha is playing an increasingly important role in the ‘Greater Bay Area’, an area recently designated as Metropolis by the Chinese government. This area stretches from Guangzhou to Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macau, Zhuhai and many residential and industrial centers in between. Some 60 million people live in this area, the three large cities being Guangzhou, Shenzhen (15 million residents) and Hong Kong (8 million residents)", stated Johan Nanninga.
He was appointed as CEO of Guangzhou Port Europe two-and-a-half years ago. He runs his office from The Hague.
"My work area covers the whole of Europe. I maintain contact with shipping companies, international freight forwarders and consignors to see how Nansha can play a role in optimizing trade flows with South China. Trade is a flow that is in continuous movement. The tremendous splendor of freight flows means that new players become important," he said.
Nansha on the western bank of the Pearl River, on the other hand, is becoming more and more interesting for import and export. The port’s increasing proximity to new production centers and very competitive costs make it a good choice in comparison with Shenzhen ports, which are becoming more expensive.
