Hutchison Delta Ports (HDP) has purchased new materials handling equipment for its ports from Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery Co Ltd.

Xiamen International Container Terminals (XICT) took delivery of five rubber-tyred gantry cranes on December 21 and two cranes were delivered to Nanhai International Container Terminals (NICT) on January 2. Each crane has a 41-tonne lifting capacity.

In addition, two quay cranes will be ready for service at XICT this month, said HDP general manager Alfred Leung. The quay cranes have an outreach of 52 metres and a 41-tonne lifting capacity.

"HDP spares no effort to provide top-notch management and equipment to accommodate operational needs at its port network. It is our mission to ensure high efficiency and productivity to better serve our clients at all times," Mr Leung said.

HDP has signed agreements with the Shenzhen Government and Yantian Port Group to jointly develop phase three of the Yantian International Container Terminal (YICT). HK6.6 billion (USD846.2 million) will be invested in the project.

HDP group managing director John Meredith said: "HDP is pleased to work with the Shenzhen Government and Yantian Port Group in the phase three development. The additional capacity provided by phase three will help facilitate South China's cargo movements."

Scheduled to start construction soon, phase three will be developed on 90 hectares of land and will comprise four deep-water container berths. HDP has operated YICT phases one and two since 1994. Since it began operations, YICT throughput has grown from 13,000 TEU in 1994 to more than two million TEU in 2000.