The aerial view of Nansha International Cruise Home Port, which has an architectural design inspired by a leaping whale. [Photo/Xinhua]

Nansha International Cruise Home Port in Guangzhou is scheduled to be put into operation on Nov 17, according to an announcement made by China Communications Construction Group during a news conference held on Oct 23.

The port is designed to cover a planned coast line of 1,600 meters, as well as build two cruise berths of 100,000 metric tons and 225,000 tons respectively.

The first phase of the port under construction covers a coast line of 770 meters. It has built one berth of 100,000 tons and one berth of 225,000 tons. A terminal with a building area of about 60,000 square meters is also in construction.

Currently, the port is able to berth the largest cruise in the world, and its designed annual passenger capacity is 750,000.

Pan Yuzhang, deputy director of the administration committee of Guangzhou Nansha Development Zone, said that Nansha International Cruise Home Port boasts rich cruise tourist resources, as well as enjoys abundant marine cultural resources and a unique geographic location. The operation of the port will further consolidate Nansha port area's status as a pivotal port, laying a solid foundation for the development of an international shipping center in the area.

Nansha International Cruise Home Port has integrated customs and border inspection, applying high-tech applications and advanced information methods like facial recognition and cruise control system to rapidly improve customs clearance efficiency.