THE Shanghai Port complex reached 50 million TEU for the first time on December 22, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.

The port is said will exceed the 50 million TEU mark as it continues its position as the world's busiest seaport for the 15th consecutive year.

Container operations at the port began in 1978 when they handled just 7,951 TEU. The port reached one million TEU in 1994 and has continued its rapid expansion. Throughput exceeded 10 million TEU in 2003 and has continued its sequential growth.

The 40 million mark was reached in 2017 and last year the port handled 49.16 million TEU.

Port officials point to the broad network and development of infrastructure as contributing to the continued growth.

The port cooperates with 22 ports in the Chinese provinces and cities along the Yangtze River, including 16 ports in the Yangtze River Delta.

The service was launched in 2019 and at present, 10 routes are running daily. They expect 2024 to exceed 900,000 TEU on the sea-rail connection reporting volume increased by about 40 per cent year on year.

Automation is a key part of the port's ability to handle the massive volume of containers. They highlighted the use of fully automated unmanned guided vehicles.

The port is also expanding its use of digitalization. In 2017 the port launched the Yangshan Phase IV automated terminal which has handled 35 million TEU in the past seven years.