The container wharf of the Qingdao port in Shandong Province, the world's largest and most advanced container wharf  has been put into operation, a port official said.
   
The Qingdao container wharf was designed for 7 berths, the first four of which were put into operation in September, 2003. Construction of the No.5, 6 and 7 berths was completed in December,2004. The first ship, the "Xiangmao," arrived at berth No. 5 Friday afternoon.
   
Designers said that the three new berths, together with the original four, will be able to handle seven 280-meter steamships at one time.
   
The container handling capability of the Qingdao port reached five million TEUs containers in 2004, the requirement for an international shipping center. The Qingdao port is expected to handle 6.5 million TEUs containers in 2005, with backup of the seven operational container berths.

(Xinhua News Agency February 26,2005)