Xuwen Port in Zhanjiang is expected to be handed over for acceptance by the end of June this year and open for operation in October, with 99 percent of its overall construction finished by June 28.

Construction of the port started on Jan 1, 2017. About 76 hectares of marine land were reclaimed for the project. A total of 16 10,000 ton ordinary passenger and cargo ro-ro berths, as well as one 10,000 ton ro-ro berth established for dangerous products have been established at the port area.

With a total investment of 1.71 billion yuan ($242.56 million), the port is designed to have an annual handling capacity of 3.2 million vehicles and 17.28 million passengers.

The full view of Xuwen Port in Zhanjiang under the sunset. [Photo/gdzjdaily.com.cn]

"After completion, Xuwen Port will become the world's largest ferry terminal in terms of occupied area and handling capacity," said Zhang Jinhong, chairman of Zhanjiang Xuwen Port Co Ltd.

The shipping time between Xuwen Port and Xinhai Port of Haikou in Hainan province will be halved to one hour.

Equipment for the smart system has been installed around the port, bringing convenience for passengers, cars or trucks to buy tickets, check-in, as well as to conduct weighing and examinations.

The hydraulic elevator bridges used at the port can carry out smart stretching out and drawing back, as well as go up and down according to the tide level and ship type.

Orange hydraulic elevator bridges are used at Xuwen Port. [Photo/gdzjdaily.com.cn]