THE Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) has announced it is to invest up to CNY51.3 billion US$7.3 billion) in constructing container terminal and supporting projects at Xiaoyangshan, reports UK's Seatrade Maritime News.

The investment in the new area through its subsidiary Shanghai Shengdong International Container Terminal Company.

Located at the north side of Xiaoyangshan, the project includes seven 70,000 tonne-class and two 150,000 tonne-class container berths, with a design capacity to handle 11.6 million TEU per year.

Average annual operational days of the terminal could be around 330-334 days.

This terminal project will improve service level of Yangshan deep-water area, enhance river-to-sea combined transportation in Yangtze delta, and promote world-class port cluster construction in the region, said SIPG.

With works starting from October, the project construction is scheduled to be completed in stage within an eight year timeframe.