QINGDAO -- The Qingdao Port International Co., Ltd. saw annual growth of over 18 percent in its net profit attributable to shareholders last year.

According to the annual report of the port company, its net profit attributable to shareholders reached 3.59 billion yuan (534 million U. S. dollars) in 2018, up 18.09 percent annually.

The company's revenue was recorded at 11.74 billion yuan last year, up 15.72 percent year on year.

Qingdao Port International Co., Ltd. is the primary operator of the Port of Qingdao on the Yellow Sea. The port, which started operations in 1892, has four areas -- Dagang, Qianwan, Dongjiakou port areas and Huangdao oil port area -- and has been an important hub for international trade and transportation.

The port company handled 486 million tonnes of goods last year, up 6 percent. Of the total throughput, the company handled 19.32 million TEUs of containers, up 5.5 percent.