NYK's International Container Terminal at Dalian.

While many companies have reduced spending to lessen the impact of the crisis, some enterprises, such as NYK Group, believe that the way to survive the downturn is to stay the course and work more closely with China.

"We have strategically invested in both car carrier and container vessel terminals in major ports in China. We believe that these investments in the gateways of China have contributed to the development of China as the world's manufacturing hub and market," said Takao Ito, NYK line chief representative for China.

He added: "At the same time, these investments have become the connecting dots for our integrated logistics services in China which holds vast land area and huge potential in integrated logistics business."

As Shanghai becomes a more vital international shipping and logistics center through further centralization of shipping and logistics facilities, NYK has increased to 22 its weekly connections to the port.

Shanghai has increased container-handling volume by 50 percent in the last three years and handling volume was seen to exceed 500,000 TEUs last year.

To strengthen its bases for container transportation and provide high-quality logistics solutions in northern and eastern China, NYK plans to invest in the development of Phase 3B of Daxiao Yangshan Container Terminals in Shanghai and has already invested in Phase 3 of the Dayaowan Container Terminals in Dalian.

NYK Line Chief Representative Takao Ito presents an NYK Scholarship to a Shanghai Maritime University student in 2008.

Viewing Dalian as the logistics hub for northeast China, especially for the automobile industry, NYK and a group of local investors inaugurated a dedicated terminal for automobiles in Dalian's Dayao Bay back in July 2006, where it holds a 30 percent stake.

Apart from investments aimed at bolstering its position as an integrated logistics service provider and contributing to the development of China's logistical infrastructure, NYK hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of the Chinese.

NYK believes it is the company's responsibility to cooperate with the Chinese society. They currently support scholarship programs at Shanghai Maritime University, Dalian Maritime University, and Wuhan University of Technology. NYK also provided relief assistance to the victims of the tragic earthquake in Sichuan province.

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