Xiamen is centrally located within one day's maritime travel to Hong Kong, Keelung, Kaohsiung and Taichung. Ng said he is uncertain about what form cross straits trade will take, adding that the ramifications for facilities at Xiamen could be two-fold. That is another matter and is difficult to judge. Companies that will be looking to set up trade links in Xiamen will initially be from nearby Asian countries, Ng said, adding that, eventually, he expects North American and European firms to take an interest. By and large, imports at Xiamen comprise raw materials destined for its extensive manufacturing sector.
Exports are the resultant finished products.
XXYQ's Berth 12 is set to begin operations in March and projected to be fully operational in a little more than one year, Ng said. With an alongside depth of 12.2 metres and a quayside length of 220 metres, Berth 12 is capable of servicing third generation container vessels. XXYQ will also have dedicated Customs, quarantine and security facilities. Fairyoung is building another container berth next to Berth 12, but it will be located within the Xiamen Xiangyu Free Trade Zone. That project will bring Fairyoung's total quay length to 470 metres.