APM Terminals, a subsidiary of Danish shipping and oil group AP Moller-Maersk, has increased its presence in southern China with a new terminal in Xiamen, Fujian Province.

The Songyu Terminal can handle the world's largest container vessels, which are about as long as four football fields put together.

The terminal began operation yesterday, jointly developed by APM Terminals and the Xiamen Port Group. The two invested some $380 million in the first phase of the terminal, each taking a 50 percent stake.

"The new terminal will attract and serve the largest ships and shipping lines from around the world, ensuring that the foreign trade of Xiamen, Fujian and neighboring provinces will have first-class access to global markets for generations to come," said Tom Behrens-Sorensen, chairman of AP Moller-Maersk Group in China.

The project is expected to play an important role in making Xiamen a key shipping and logistics center, said Liu Cigui, the city's mayor.

Richard Nicholson, vice-president of APM Terminals Greater China, said the new facility has a better location and deeper water than others in the city.

Located at the southeastern corner of Xiamen's Haicang district at the intersection of the towing sea lanes leading to the city, Songyu Terminal is the closest at the port with access to the high seas, he said.