The busy Qingdao Port. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Using its advantageous location, Qingdao is accelerating efforts to build an international transportation network that serves as the most convenient outlet for the Yellow River basin.

Building infrastructure is a prerequisite for creating an open gateway and Qingdao is advancing the construction of infrastructure such as ports and railways to enhance the city's capacity, said Xie Hongjin, vice-mayor of Qingdao.

Qingdao Port boasts a 400,000-ton iron ore wharf, the world's largest. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

According to Xie, as of now, Qingdao has a total of 124 production berths in its ports, including 98 berths that can accommodate vessels of more than 10,000 metric tons, with a designed annual throughput capacity of 387 million tons.

Qingdao Port boasts a 400,000-ton iron ore wharf, the world's largest; a 450,000-ton crude oil wharf; the largest bulk grain unloading and transferring capability port in the Yellow River basin; Asia's first fully automated wharf and an international first-class cruise passenger terminal.

The port can accommodate the world's largest ships capable of loading 24,000 standard containers and 225,000-ton cruise ships, and is one of the most comprehensive ports in the world in terms of cargo services.