According to Taicang Port Authorities, 42 vessels from Taiwan called direct at Taicang in the first three months of 2009, making Taicang the major terminal for direct trade between Taiwan and Suzhou.

Container services between Taicang and Taiwan started in December 2004, but direct routes only began last December. Vessels deployed are typically in the 6,000-8,000dwt ocean-going range. A cluster of foreign trade-related Taiwanese companies operates in Suzhou.