Container and cargo handling capacity at Taicang Port reached a double-digit increase this year, and production target reached a record high, reiterating its status as the largest container transport port in Yangtze River, the largest timber import port nationwide and the largest iron ore import port along Yangtze River.

In the first quarter, about 555,400 standard containers of goods were handled at Taicang Port, a year-on-year growth of 26.48 percent; about 34.2 million tons of goods were handled, increasing by 27 percent.

As strategic cooperation between Taicang Port and Shanghai Port was carried out, shipping factors began to add up at Taicang Port. Taicang Port Shanggang Zhenghe Container Terminal Co., Ltd is now in operation, and its several liners are moored at Taicang Port. The containers go through here instead of Yangshan Port.

Taicang Port, in cooperation with Shanghai Port, will soon build a shuttle bus platform between the two ports. Eight barges will be put into use, liners will sail 21 shifts a week, eight hours per shift. Foreign trade containers from the upper and middle regions of Yangtze River will be transited at Taicang Port, adding 600,000 standard containers per year. Newly opened routes are bringing new sources of goods. In the first quarter, Taicang Port opened two container liner routes; so far, Taicang Port has 116 ship routes. After Nantsing Container Lines Co., Ltd launched a new route from Taicang to Yingkou, within 10 days an increase of 2,700 handling capacity was reached. The company will also open routes from Taicang to Haikou and Xiamen.

In the future, Taicang Port will attract near-sea shipping lines in cooperation with Shanghai Port, and strive to reach 20 shifts a week, including eight lines to Japan, and three lines to Korea.

Three service centers – Suzhou Industrial Park, High-tech Zone and Kunshan – will enhance publicity and attract more goods to be handled at Taicang Port. High-tech Zone Dry Port has been facilitating the goods handling process for enterprises. In the first quarter, about 2,136 standard containers were dual transported, surpassing half of last year’s volume. The actual load rate of container dual transport exceeded 70 percent, and the transportation costs of containers declined dramatically, saving 50 to 100 yuan per standard container for domestic trade enterprises and 100 to 150 yuan for foreign trade enterprises.

A manager of the Taicang Port administrative committee said that they will further improve the port environment, boost customs clearance integration of Shanghai and Taicang ports and attract more goods to be handled at Taicang Port.