On 12 July 2004, Yantian International Container Terminals commenced use of a brand new 29-lane gatehouse, part of the extensive Phase III Development Project. The additional facility brings the total number of access lanes to 52, substantially improving YICT's gatehouse operational efficiency and handling capacity.
With a large 140-truck-space parking lot, the new gatehouse consists of 15 entry lanes and 14 exit lanes (including a special lane for oversized trucks in each direction). Scanners for the Port Community Card (PCC) have been installed at the gate, allowing drivers the convenience of scanning their cards to make payments and print operation instructions.
The opening of the new gatehouse will meet the demands of the terminal's future development. In addition, the new facility will make full use of the Mingzhu Interchange, which serves as a major external traffic junction around the port. Public traffic will be separated from container trucks entering and leaving the terminal, thus reducing the traffic congestion. This combination of a well-constructed interchange and a multi-lane gatehouse will further reduce truck turnaround times and ensure smooth traffic flow both inside and outside the port. YICT is now well-prepared for the coming peak season.
YICT's Phase III Project includes four 9,000-plus TEU vessel berths. The first two berths were put into operation in 2003. The remaining two berths are due for completion in the end of July and the end of this year respectively.