Suzhou (China, Yangtze River)

Suzhou is a major Inland port and city in southeastern Jiangsu Province (East China), approx 100 km (62 ml) northwest of Shanghai. The city has population around 10,7 million.

Suzhou is an economic center of commerce and trade. It is also province's 2nd largest city - after its capital Nanjing. Suzhou is on Lower Yangtze River and Lake Tai's shores (Yangtze River Delta region). Established in 514 BC, the city is popular for its numerous historical sites and ancient relics. Until 1860, during Ming and Qing dynasties, the city was world's largest non-capital city. After Taiping Rebellion, its place was taken by Shanghai.

Due to major economic reforms (started in 1978) Suzhou became one of world's fastest growing cities, with annual GDP growth rates around 14%. With high per capita incomes, its Human Development Index is comparable to that of a moderately developed country. City's meticulously designed gardens, stone bridges, canals and pagodas make it one of China's top tourist destinations. Suzhou is often dubbed "Venice of China" ("Venice of the East").

Port Suzhou

Port Suzhou is located on Yangtze River's right bank. The name is actually collective, signifying 3 different seaports around Suzhou - in Zhangjiagang, Changshu and Taicang.

By annual cargo shipping capacity (around 480 million tons) and annual containership cargo volumes (around 5 million TEUs / containers), Suzhou is ranked world's largest inland river port and world's 6th largest port by annual freight tonnage. The port specializes mainly in coal, ore, steel, construction materials.

Port's infrastructure includes over 230 berths, of which 106 serve vessels with DWT tonnage over 10,000 tons. The port is included in over 400 shipping lines.