Shanghai is to further expand facilities at the Yangshan Deep Water Port as part of a plan to enhance the port services industry during the 12th Five-Year Plan, the city's port authority said Tuesday.

Phase III-A and Phase III-B of the Yangshan Deep Water Port is also expected to receive official certification during the five-year period after trial operations began at the end of 2008, according to a draft plan released by the port authority.

There are also plans to enhance service efficiency for port clearance and management.

Shanghai, which last year overtook Singapore to become the world's largest container port, may record a container goods turnover of 30 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) this year, Chen Xuyuan, president of Shanghai International Port (Group) Co, has said.

Government agencies and port operators will seek to integrate port resources as well as build up a network that connects inland waterway and ports to allow smooth cargo transportation.

The city is also to carry out a feasibility study to strengthen cooperation with neighboring ports in the Yangtze River delta region.

Meanwhile, the Wusong International Cruise Terminal in Baoshan District will be put into use soon and the city will push forward stimulus measures to help equipment and service providers in the industry.

Lingang New City, in Shanghai's southeast, where Yangshan Deep Water Port is located, together with the Waigaoqiao free trade zone and the Lujiazui financial hub, may act as the major driving force in Shanghai's trade development over the next 10 to 20 years.

The State Council mapped out guidelines at the end of March 2009 for Shanghai to become a major international financial center and shipping hub by the year 2020.

Under the guidelines, the city has granted business tax exemption for shipping companies registered in the Yangshan Deep Water Port region and other incentive measures to boost insurance and other service sectors related to the shipping industry.

Lingang New City is to become an international shipping center as well as a logistics hub and an industrial base by 2020.

An engineering base will also boost the city's advanced manufacturing industry and marine engineering service equipment.