Foreign cargo ship New Star docks at the G3 berth of Yangkou Port. [Photo/WeChat account of Yangkou Port]

The foreign vessel New Star, loaded with ten thousand tons of paraxylene, smoothly docked at the G3 berth of the liquid chemicals terminal at Yangkou Port in Rudong county, Nantong, Jiangsu province on Dec 12. It was the fifth foreign ship to dock at the G3 berth within six days, creating a bustling scene at the terminal.

Authorities from customs, the maritime safety bureau, and border inspection department worked to ensure the normal operation of the port. They conducted thorough and efficient inspections of each foreign vessel, significantly reducing berthing time and enhancing operational efficiency.

The G3 berth opened to foreign ships in February and has since accommodated 20 ships with a throughput of about 120,000 metric tons. This has played a crucial role in securing the supply of raw materials for large enterprises in the industrial zone near the port, such as Jiatong Energy and Chung Hwa Chemical Industrial Works. Logistics costs for these enterprises have been substantially reduced.

According to Tongkun Group, the parent company of Jiatong Energy, the group's processing trade business will be relocated to Rudong. This entails importing 700,000 tons of raw materials and exporting around 480,000 tons of finished products annually through the Yangkou Port. This is expected to increase the utilization rate of the open berths at Yangkou Port and contribute to a projected increase of about $1.5 billion in the port's foreign trade.