On 31 March 2006, Yantian Port Bonded Logistics Zone officially came on-stream, marking an important step towards the area becoming a free trade zone.
On 27 March 2006, Maersk Line launched a new Asian service FM3 at Yantian. With four 2,700 TEU container vessels deployed, the service has a rotation of Yantian, Hong Kong, Tanjung Pelepas, Nhava Sheva, Port Qasim and Colombo.
On 21 March 2006, YICT received the inaugural call from CUE, a new North American shipping service jointly operated by COSCO and Evergreen.
On 7 March 2006, 34 shipping lines signed a renewal of the "Vessel Pre-inspection Agreement" with Yantian Frontier Inspection at Yantian.
On 4 March 2006, Yantian welcomed the inaugural call of a new CKYH European service Asia/Mediterranean (AMS2). Seven 3,500-TEU vessels, five operated by "K" Line have been deployed to the service
On 2 March 2006, MSC launched a new American West Coast service, the New Orient (MNOR), at Yantian. A total of five 6,750-TEU capacity vessels have been deployed to the service
On 23 February 2006, Grand Alliance (GA) launched a new European service called EU2 to replace their previous European service EU4
Since February 2006, Maersk has begun to adjust its American, European and Middle East services.
On 19 December 2005, Yantian International Container Terminals (YICT) in conjunction with Shenzhen Inspection and Quarantine Bureau established an online Inspection and Quarantine Control Centre, to enhance the efficiency of port administration.
On 5 December 2005, a grand inaugural ceremony was held by Hanjin at YICT to welcome the ‘Hanjin Yantian’, which is a newly launched container vessel bound for the American west coast service.
On 25 November 2005, Hanjin, MOL and UASC launched a European Service named Asia-Mediterranean-Middle East Trade (EMA) at Yantian.
On 22 November 2005, Yantian International Container Terminals (YICT) received the award of “Foreign Invested Enterprise with Excellent Economic and Export Performance 2004
On 19 November 2005, Evergreen deployed eight 4,200 TEU capacity vessels as part of its new Asia-U.S. East Coast service AUE.
On 12 November 2005, Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. (MSC) commenced its Silk Express service at YICT with the inaugural vessel, "MSC Alessia".
On 8 November 2005, Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) Group and Shenzhen Yantian Port Group (YPG) officially signed a joint-venture contract with a total investment of over RMB 10 billion to develop the Yantian Port Expansion Project.