Increasing exports of calcite and imports of waste metal have led to a record number of international vessels calling at Tongling port in Anhui province. In the first four months of this year, 78 foreign vessels anchored in Tongling, up 26 per cent over the same period last year.

The water level in the Tongling section of the Yangtze is about five metres and vessels of 5,000dwt can sail to the port all year round.