A photo taken on Nov 19 shows the busy Suzhong International Container Wharf of Rugao Port. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

As of Nov 19, the container throughput of Suzhong International Container Wharf of Rugao Port reached 500,600 twenty-foot equivalent units, up 16.1 percent year-on-year, local media outlets reported.

Of that, 43,760 TEUs were for foreign trade, up 60.1 percent year-on-year.

The wharf started operations on Nov 28, 2013 and began its container business on Feb 26, 2014. Its container throughput was 10,682 TEUs by the end of 2014.

The growth rate of container throughput sped up as the port established cooperation with Shanghai Port to launch direct foreign-domestic trade shipping express services. It has also opened routes to Yingkou, Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing, and Yancheng, forming a sea-river shipping network with Rugao Port serving as the hub.

In 2020, Rugao Port launched a direct bulk route to Olga Port in Russia and introduced a group of international shipping companies, including Israel's giant ZIM, China COSCO Shipping Co, as well as Mediterranean Shipping Co.

The port currently connects with more than 200 countries and regions.