Deputy Minister of Transport Xu Zuyuan announced on 28 September that the minimum guaranteed water level in the 101km section between Nanjing and Wuhu will be raised from 9.0 metres to 10.5 metres in the flood season and from 7.5 metres to 9.0 metres in the dry season. This means that vessels of 10,000 dwt can now reach Wuhu all year round and in the flood season, the port will be able to accommodate vessels of up to 30,000 dwt.

It is the responsibility of the central government to maintain the minimum level in the Yangtze trunk line. Every increment of one metre in water depth allows a vessel to carry an extra 1,000 TEU, according to an official estimate.