[8 January 2013, Shenzhen and Hong Kong] On 8 January 2013, Yantian International Container Terminals (YICT) handled its 100 millionth TEU, a record it achieved in a mere 18.5 years. This milestone follows YICT's 2007 performance when it became the world's first container terminal to reach an annual throughput exceeding 10 million TEU. In less than two decades, Yantian Port evolved from a small fishing village into one of the world's busiest container terminals.

A celebration ceremony held today to mark the achievement was attended by approximately 200 guests from various departments of the Shenzhen Municipality; the Yantian District Government; various port authorities; executives from Hutchison Port Holdings, Yantian Port Group, Hutchison Port Holdings Trust and YICT; and shipping lines and cargo owners.

The accomplishment is testament to the terminal's success due to the proactive measures it has taken to overcome challenges over the years. Since its establishment in 1994, YICT has facilitated the export-led economic growth of South China by providing world-class container terminal services to the container shipping industry and the export/import community. YICT continually pursues innovation in port development, Customs reforms, multimodal transportation, and technological development.

With the geographical advantages of its natural deep-water berths, its state-of-the-art terminal facilities, efficient clearance procedures, and comprehensive transportation network, YICT has become the preferred port of call for mega-vessels. Every mega-vessel currently in operation (each with a carrying capacity in excess of 10,000 TEU), has called at Yantian.

YICT has always taken an environmentally friendly approach to its infrastructure development and day-to-day business operations. It was one of the first Chinese container terminal operators to deploy electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes (eRTGC) and LNG-powered container tractors. At the moment, YICT has 150 eRTGC and 280 LNG tractors.

Over the years, YICT received over 200 distinctions for its impressive performance levels as well as environmental protection, port safety and security, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

With its operational expertise and service excellence, YICT has facilitated the growth of Shenzhen's economy and helped the city achieve the largest export volume of any city in China for 19 consecutive years. YICT has also contributed to the city's position as an important gateway to South China and a key logistic hub within the Asia-Pacific region.

Zhang Wen (centre), Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Municipality, Eric Ip (second from right), Deputy Group Managing Director of HPH and Chairman of YICT, Li Bing (second from left), Chairman of Yantian Port Group, Patrick Lam (first from left), Managing Director of YICT, Selwyn Moore (first from right), Senior Director - Global Ops and Supply, Mattel Chain attended the celebration ceremony that marked Yantian International Container Terminals' achievement in handling 100 million TEU in a mere 18.5 years.

Yantian International Container Terminals today handled its 100 millionth TEU, a record it achieved in a mere 18.5 years.

With "One million TEU and beyond" as the slogan, Yantian International Container Terminals aims to overcome challenges and achieve new heights.

Notes to Editors:
Yantian International Container Terminals (YICT) is a natural deep-water terminal and the leading gateway serving import and export container traffic generated by its immediate cargo hinterlands. With a total of 16 berths and a yard area of 373 hectares, YICT has built up an extensive cargo base which attracts about 40 major shipping lines that provide about 100 weekly services linking to major ports worldwide.

YICT is a member of HPH Trust, the world's first container port business trust, which is listed in Singapore. YICT is also a part of Hutchison Port Holdings' (HPH) global network of port and logistics operations, and continues to have access to services and resources enjoyed by companies within the HPH Group.

HPH, a subsidiary of the multinational conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Limited, is the world's leading port investor, developer and operator.