Company background
China Merchants Port's predecessor was founded in Hong Kong on 28 May 1991, and changed to its present name in 1997. Port facilities are located in Hong Kong and mainland China, such as Shanghai, Tianjin and Qingdao.[1] However, China Merchants Port was truly founded in 1872 as the first merchant company of the Qing dynasty and has experienced a history that stretches from the Republic of China to the official establishment of the People's Republic of China. Port facilities are located in Hong Kong and mainland China. Its national port network is spread across the Pearl River Delta, Bohai Economic Zone, Xiamen Bay Economic Zone, Yangtze River Delta and Southwest China. This includes the coastal hub ports of Hong Kong, Shanghai, Qingdao and Xiamen Bay.[8][9]
Besides the operations in Hong Kong and mainland China, it also operates overseas. Its investments are concentrated in developing countries such as Nigeria and among other African countries, as well as the countries among South Asia, especially in Sri Lanka, the port of Hambantota that located in southern Sri Lanka is one of the biggest foreign investment by China Merchants Port. The company has approximately 130 berths for loading and unloading at wharves and piers worldwide, with a capacity of 60 million containers. It controls more than 30% of the berths in mainland China.[1][10] The company operates through its port operations, bonded logistics business and other businesses. These include container terminal operations, break-bulk terminals, the operation of logistics parks operated by China Merchants Ports and its associates, including port transportation and airport cargo handling, as well as property development and investment, including the construction of modular buildings and the provision of container terminal services. In addition, China Merchants Port is involved in port development and berth operations, as well as tugboat berthing assistance and barge services when ships arrive in port, cargo handling during loading and unloading, and providing ships with shore power and fresh water.[1][11]
China Merchants Port is one of three Chinese enterprises named among the top 10 terminal operators in the world; the other two are Hutchison Port Holdings and COSCO Shipping Ports.[10] In the 2018 Lloyd's list of the top 10 global port operators, China Merchants Port was ranked fifth, as of 2018, they have a network of 34 ports in 18 countries around the world, such as Houston in the US and Newcastle in Australia.[9]
