The CMA CGM Laguna sails near the Jintang port area of Ningbo Zhoushan Port in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

The Jintang port area of Ningbo Zhoushan Port handled 1.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of import and export containers in the first half of this year, a record high for the period and up 23.4 percent year-on-year, according to Zhoushan Customs.

The growth came as the port area continued to benefit from stronger foreign trade. Exports also improved in structure, with mechanical and electrical products remaining the main export category and new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products emerging as new growth areas.

The port area's foreign trade network also expanded as its export structure improved. Seventeen foreign trade routes to regions, including the Red Sea and Africa, were added in the first half, bringing the total to 46. The routes now cover more than 60 major ports in 33 countries and regions.

Large container vessels made frequent calls at the Jintang port area in the first half. The CMA CGM Amazon, which berthed on June 25, handled more than 17,000 TEUs at the port, setting a record for a single vessel since the port area opened.

The ultra-large container vessels CSCL Globe and Rotterdam Express also called at the terminal in the first half, handling a combined 24,500 TEUs.

The CMA CGM Laguna also berthed at the port and was scheduled to handle 11,500 TEUs.