An aerial view showcases the size and significance of the operations of Yantai Port. [Photo/WeChat account: Shandong-Port]

Yantai Port, a subsidiary of Shandong Port Group or SPG – one of the biggest port operators in the world, based in Qingdao city in East China's Shandong province – was recently recognized as one of the top 10 meritorious entrepreneurs in Yantai city, also located in Shandong.

Last year, relying on SPG's integrated development platform, Yantai Port implemented and deepened its port reforms across the board.

The move is said to have effectively boosted the internal drive of the company, stimulated the competence and the esprit de corps of its staff, as well as steered the port into the fast channel of high-quality development.

With serving Yantai city's regional socioeconomic advancement as its mission, Yantai Port deeply involved itself in port-industry-city integration and reportedly participated in the city's regional economic development. In this context, the year 2020 is said to have witnessed a slew of major achievements.

Last year the port signed 16 strategic cooperation agreements with governments at all levels and key enterprises, further deepening its port-industry-city integration. There was also the launch of nine key projects for "port-city interaction and integrated development" with an investment of 30.6 billion yuan ($4.8 billion).

On top of that, concerted efforts were made to promote the opening-up of Yantai and stabilize the city's foreign trade. Last year, Yantai Port contributed 26.4 billion yuan to the city in terms of the total volume of imports and exports.

As a "golden partner" of the city, Yantai Port reportedly moved to new highs in its integration with the metropolis, with its strategic significance and influence extended.

In the first half of the current year, Yantai Port worked hard to forge ahead in key projects including establishing major cargo categories and the construction of supply chain systems. It smoothed out the functioning of its multimodal transport channel and improved its business environment, as part of its efforts to advance port-industry-city integrated development.

During the January to June period, the port handled a total of 182.74 million tons of cargo, up 9.9 percent year-on-year and moved 1.82 million standard twenty-foot equivalent units or TEUs of containers, an annual increase of 13.2 percent. 

Harnessing the integrated development platform of SPG, plans are for Yantai Port to continue to deepen its port reforms, making concrete efforts to become a key driver for the city and region's economic growth.