Taizhou Port has demonstrated exceptional performance in the first quarter of this year, according to official statistics.

The port handled 18.17 million metric tons of cargo, up by 23.31 percent year-on-year, while container throughput reached 195,500 TEUs, marking an uptick of 14.79 percent year-on-year. Both growth rates stand as the highest among coastal ports in Zhejiang province.

Part of this rapid upswing can be attributed to the decision to operate as a transit port of Ningbo Zhoushan Port, which is also located in Zhejiang and is 20 times the size of Taizhou Port. Currently, over 70 percent of cargo is transported by sea to Ningbo Zhoushan Port before being shipped to other destinations. Notably, Ningbo Zhoushan Port operates 300 container shipping routes spanning more than 600 ports in over 200 countries and regions.

Despite its established role as a transit port, Taizhou Port has consistently been seeking opportunities for its own development. Presently, it operates 12 container shipping routes, including seven connecting to Taiwan, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Plans are also in the offing to open new international routes to Russia, the Middle East, and beyond.

In March, Taizhou's three additional port areas - Toumen, Longmen, and Jiantiao - officially opened to international vessels, adding a total of six berths and one dock. This comprehensive opening will enable Taizhou Port to facilitate direct shipments for Taizhou goods, ultimately reducing logistics costs for businesses.

In addition, efforts have been made by authorities to champion port-industry collaboration. For instance, a new dock is rapidly being developed on Queer'ao Island in the Toumen Port Area, which will be part of the Taizhou Bay New Materials Industrial Park project.