Zhang Wei, deputy mayor of Zhangjiagang city, said on 25 January that the city handled a throughput of 215m tons of general cargo in 2010, up nearly 35 per cent year-on-year and more than any other Yangtze port. It also reported a container throughput of 1.13m TEU, up nearly 15 per cent over the previous year. This is the first time that Zhangjiagang has ever breached 1m TEU.

Mr Zhang attributed the increase to the improved efficiency of the local maritime safety authorities. Zhangjiagang MSA has launched a raft of measures to improve efficiency, including eight operation outlets that are open 24 hours a day and permit exemptions for transit vessels.