China's Dalian port operator claims to have seen an improvement to its operations in recent months and is building a new oil tank this year, reports said.

The northeast port saw total port handling throughput rise 12% in January to August this year, after a 5% fall in January alone, compared to the same period a year ago, according to Sun Hong, chairman of Dalian Port (PDA) Co Ltd.

Container throughput, however, was flat in the year through August, he said.

With both container and port volumes improving month-on-month, Dalian Port expects its second-half revenue to grow on the first-half's 4% drop on year.

The port operator is also moving ahead with investment in a number of infrastructure-related projects, as China's 4 trillion yuan ($585.6 billion) stimulus program drives demand for such new work.

Dalian Port plans to build a 1.25-million cubic metre oil tank with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the state-owned parent of PetroChina.

Construction work is expected to be completed this year and the tank will be operational in 2010, according to Sun.

Dalian Port also revealed that it is investing more in iron ore and oil handling infrastructure, while cutting its spending in containers, Sun added.