The Fujian Provincial Government has recently released the Layout Plan of Fujian Coastal Ports (2020-2035). According to the Plan, by 2025, the throughput of the province’s coastal ports will have reached 680 million tons, and four ports each with a throughput of 100 million tons will have been completed, forming a modern port cluster with clear-cut division of functionality, an optimized spatial layout, adequate support capacity and comparative advantages. By 2035, the throughput of the province’s coastal ports will have reached 880 million tons, with more than 300 million tons and 20 million TEUs for Xiamen. 

The high-level plan clearly defines the functions of four major ports. “The plan is the highest-level port plan for the province. It clearly defines the Ports of Xiamen, Fuzhou, Meizhou Bay and Quanzhou as the four coastal ports of the province,” said an official from Fujian Port Group. According to the plan, the coastal ports of the province will form a hierarchical development pattern with the Ports of Fuzhou and Xiamen as main national coastal ports and the other two ports as important regional ports. These ports will have clear division of responsibility, close cooperation and coordinated development. 

The plan further clarifies the strategic positioning of each port, which is conducive to the continuous enhancement of the quality and efficiency of the intensive development of ports in Fujian. According to the plan, the Port of Xiamen will comprise nine port areas, namely, Dongdu, Haicang, Xiang’an, Zhaoyin, Houshi and Shima around Xiamen Bay, as well as Gulei, Dongshan and Zhao’an around Dongshan Bay. It will focus on the development of foreign and domestic trade container transport, crude oil transport, cruise transport and roll-on/roll-off transport to Taiwan. The Port of Fuzhou will be composed of eight port areas, namely, the Min River Estuary, Jiangyin, Songxia, Luoyuan Bay, Pingtan, Sandu’ao, Baima and Shacheng. It will be developed into a modern comprehensive multifunctional port specializing in the transport of containers, energy and raw materials while offering passenger transport services. The Port of Meizhou Bay will encompass five port areas, namely, Xinghua, Dongwu, Xiuyu, Xiaocuo and Douwei. It will be built into a comprehensive port specializing in the bulk transport of energy, coal and iron ore. The Port of Quanzhou will be made up of three port areas – Quanzhou, Shenhu and Weitou Bays. It will be turned into a modern comprehensive port specializing in domestic container transport.

The plan is of a high standard and fully integrated into the “Belt and Road Initiative”. The plan affirms that the coastal ports of the province must serve the national and regional development strategies in a more efficient manner, and be fully integrated into the of the “Belt and Road Initiative” and into the development of a leading nation in transport and a world-class port. Together, these ports are expected to build a characteristic brand of “Silk Road Maritime Transport” and become an important gateway hub for the opening-up of Fujian and the central and western regions, as well as for exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.