Taiwan ports deliver impressive results in 1st half of 2024

2024/08/05

The cargo handling volumes and revenues of Taiwan’s ports continued to pick up steam in the first half of 2024 despite ongoing uncertainties around the world, Taiwan International Ports Corp. said Aug. 1.
 
Despite the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, Red Sea crisis and global port congestion, Taiwan ports handled an estimated 6.95 million twenty-foot equivalent units during the first six months of the year, up 3.21 percent over the same period of 2023, while revenues are projected to gain 4.69 percent to NT$12.49 billion (US$381.2 million).
 
To secure Taiwan’s status as a regional maritime transportation hub, the TIPC, which falls under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, said Taipei City-based Evergreen Marine Corp. has introduced the latest in automation technology to five berths at Kaohsiung Port’s Terminal Seven in July. With a draft of 18 meters, the berths add 6.5 million TEU in handling volume for the port and can dock four 24,000-TEU cargo ships at the same time, according to the TIPC.
 
As local tourism continues to gain momentum after the COVID-19 pandemic, the ports are set to welcome 476 cruise calls with 839,000 visitors this year, up 46 percent and 53 percent, respectively, from 2023, the TIPC said, attributing this surge in part to its promotional campaigns, as well as ongoing efforts to upgrade service facilities.
 
The company offered examples including the launch of services in January between Keelung Port and Japan’s Okinawa Port by MSC Bellissima, the largest cruise ship in the Asia-Pacific region; the first voyage of Japanese cruise ship Nippon Maru to Suao Port on June 30 to celebrate the inauguration of its passenger service center; and a planned yacht marina at Taipei Port.
 
Another upcoming development is the 110th Annual Conference of the Association of Pacific Ports, hosted Aug. 11-14 at Kaohsiung Port by TIPC, where around 20 delegations will gather together to discuss ways to expand international cooperation and exchange views on key issues such as smart port management and sustainable operations.


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)