The fourth container project in Taicang port starts construction on April 28 with an investment of about 3.8 billion yuan ($596.6 million). [Photo/WeChat account: TPETDZ]

The fourth container project in Taicang port started construction on April 28 with an expected annual throughput of two million containers, local media reported.

Located next to the third container project, this project contains four 50,000-ton berths, extends 1,292 meters and covers more than 1.2 million square meters.

The rail-mounted gantry cranes in the fourth project's yard are expected to be fully automatic, the first such arrangement in Jiangsu province or among the ports along the Yangtze River.

With an investment of about 3.8 billion yuan ($596.6 million), the new project is expected to be operational by the end of 2021.

As an important part of Shanghai role as an international shipping center, Taicang port gives priority to the development of container transportation. At present, it is home to 10 berths with designed annual throughput of 4.35 million containers.

In 2017, Taicang port handled 4.51 million containers, ranking first among the Yangtze River ports and 35th in the world, and the fourth project will improve the port's handling capacity by 50 percent.

Taicang port handled 4.51 million containers, ranking first among the Yangtze River ports and 35th in the world, in 2017. [Photo/WeChat account: TPETDZ]