QINGDAO handled 265 million tons, and 9.4 million TEU in 2007 signalling its rise on the national port league tables from 10th to seventh place, Xinhua reported.

The port also set a daily container handling record by lifting 30,175 TEU from 6pm of January 2 to 6pm of January 3, the report said.

Qingdao throughput growth held steady in 2007 without additional port capacity, the increase being ascribed to stronger connections between the harbour and railways, customs and shippers, the report said.

Qingdao Customs signed regional cooperation agreements with inland customs authorities of Hefei, Shijiazhuang and Yichuan in 2007, attracting more inland cargo to transship, the report said.

The goal of Qingdao port in 2008 is to handle 300 million tons and 10 million TEU, the report added.