Nanjing Port sets a new historical record for the largest draft of ships entering the port since its opening

On October 22, the cargo ship “Rongda Shanghai,” carrying 56,500 tons of iron ore and with a draft of 11.8 meters, arrived at the Xinshengxu Port area of Nanjing Port. This event marked a historic record for the largest vessel draft since the port’s opening.

According to Huang Xinmin, the production director of Nanjing Port (Group) Co., Ltd.’s Xinshengxu Port Operations Branch, “Rongda Shanghai” is the first vessel to dock at Nanjing Port with a draft of 11.8 meters. The ship measures 199.98 meters in length and 34 meters in width, having sailed from Majishan Port in Zhejiang.

The Yangtze River is recognized as the busiest inland waterway and the largest artery for transport in the world. In the Jiangsu section of the lower Yangtze, over 3 million vessels enter and exit the port each year, accounting for more than 70% of the total cargo volume along the entire river. Located downstream on the Yangtze, Nanjing Port is a deep-water seaport that serves as a crucial hub for domestic international shipping.

In May 2018, a 12.5-meter deep-water channel through the Yangtze River was officially opened to Nanjing, enabling 50,000-ton vessels to travel directly from the river’s mouth to the port. Although larger vessels, from 70,000 to 100,000 tons, can reduce their load and arrive during high tide, the maximum draft for entering and exiting Nanjing Port was previously capped at 11.36 meters due to navigational and safety limitations.

Earlier this year, Nanjing Port welcomed its first large vessel with a draft of 11.6 meters. This change allowed ships to carry an additional 3,000 to 5,000 tons of cargo per trip, translating into annual logistic cost savings for companies ranging from 40 million to 50 million yuan (approximately $6 million to $7 million).

Huang Xiang, director of the Xinshengxu Maritime Office, noted that with the draft now increased to 11.8 meters, vessels can load an additional 2,000 to 3,000 tons of cargo. This enhancement further reduces logistics costs and supports Nanjing’s goal of establishing itself as a regional shipping and logistics center, thereby improving its position as a logistics hub in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The full potential of the Yangtze’s 12.5-meter deep-water channel will also be further unlocked.