Anshan Iron and Steel Group Co Ltd (Ansteel) and Yingkou Port Group Co Ltd inked a strategic cooperative agreement on June 24.

With the rapid development in recent years, Ansteel has become the largest client of Yingkou port, the nearest outlet to sea for the mill, with the mill's annual throughput via the port accounting for nearly 10% of totals there.

Yingkou port has become one of the 10 largest ports in China with its throughput topped 100 million tons last year, and is expected to reach 200 million tons by 2010.