Imagine ships docking here. Now, let’s explore Ocean Terminal.
Ocean Terminal is more than a building. It is a gateway to the world. It stands as a testament to Hong Kong’s maritime importance.
Shekou, where the Ocean Terminal resides, was once a small fishing village. It transformed into a bustling hub. This transformation began with the establishment of the Shekou Industrial Zone. Infrastructure grew rapidly turning it into an export-oriented trade zone.
Many foreign oil companies came here. The local government worked hard to attract them. They wanted companies to build oil rigs in the South China Sea.
Shekou Container Port became part of the larger Shenzhen port. It stands as one of the major fruit import cities in Southern China. The port plays a part in the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. This route connects the Chinese coast to the Mediterranean Sea. It goes via the Suez Canal.
The Shekou Cruise Center replaced the old Shekou Port Ferry Terminal. It offers regular ferry services to Macau, Hong Kong, and Zhuhai. Cruise ships can dock here, too.
French architect Denis Laming designed this new ferry terminal. Its shape is triangular. It features one 228,000-gt berth and one 120,000-gt berth. There are also twelve 800-gt berths. Shekou Cruise Homeport can dock Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships. This makes it unique in China. It is the only Chinese homeport with that capability. These ships rank as the largest passenger vessels globally.
The old Shekou Ferry Terminal was built in 1981. It had limited modifications over the years. In December 2013, a major redevelopment was announced. Construction began in 2014. The new Shekou Cruise Center opened on November 1, 2016. It sits 1.5 km southwest of the old terminal. A free shuttle bus connects it to the Shekou Port Metro Station. The old ferry terminal was closed and demolished. This made way for further urban renewal.
You can find Shekou at the southern tip of Nanshan District in Shenzhen. Its name means “snake’s mouth”. This refers to its location on the Nantou peninsula. It sits at the mouth of the Pearl River.
Ocean Terminal and Shekou Port continue to evolve. They promise further growth. Their prime location ensures a bright future.