The Marshallese vessel Newport News, weighing 208,000 deadweight metric tons, arrived at the wharf of Zhonglin Port Co in Rugao Port Area, Nantong, on May 12, making it the heaviest vessel ever to operate at the Rugao Port Area.

The vessel has a length of 299.99 meters, a maximum draft depth of 11.60 meters and a maximum width of 50 meters. It unloaded 87,192 tons of Australian iron ore in Nantong on its voyage.

The Nantong pilot station of the Yangtze River Pilot Center formulated a safety guarantee plan for the pilotage in advance, based on the characteristics of the ship, the current situation at the dock, and hydrological and meteorological conditions.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first foreign vessel entering the Yangtze River via the port of Nantong. The vessel's docking in Nantong was also a milestone in the port's opening up.

The Marshallese vessel Newport News docks at a wharf in Rugao Port Area, Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, on May 12. [Photo/Nantong Daily]