The Brazilian bulk carrier Sea Maranhao berths at Yantai Port on Sept 1. [Photo/WeChat account: Shandong-Port]

Yantai Port, a unit of Shandong Port Group or SPG, on Sept 1 welcomed the massive bulk carrier Sea Maranhao which was carrying 393,000 tons of iron ore from Brazilian group Vale SA – the world's biggest producer of iron ore and pellets, raw materials that are essential in the manufacturing of steel.

The vessel was reportedly the first mega ship to dock at Yantai port – located at the coastal city of Yantai in East China's Shandong province – using its new 400,000 DWT terminal that started operating on Aug 6, 2020. As such it was reportedly the witness to the port's emergence as a primary handler of super-sized dry bulk carriers.

"It gave me great pleasure to join you in ushering the port into an era of handling mega ships," said Song Fengjiang, captain of the Sea Maranhao, who also praised the on-site workers.

"This is my fourth trip to Yantai and your port's level of automation has kept improving, which significantly surprised me," he added. 

Moving forwards, Yantai is expected to capitalize on sci-tech innovation to improve its service quality. Benefiting from SPG's moves to integrated development, the port plans to leverage its advantages – such as its natural deep waterway, brisk handling and efficient logistics services.