UN/LOCODE: CNTZO📍 China

Port of Taizhou (UN/LOCODE CNTZO)

Coordinates: 32.4800°N, 119.9000°E
Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai
UN/LOCODE: CNTZO
## About the Port The Port of **Taizhou** (UN/LOCODE: **CNTZO**) sits on the lower reaches of the **Yangtze River Delta**, at latitude **32.48° N** and longitude **119.9° E**, within the coastal jurisdiction of **Taizhou, Jiangsu Province, China**. Operating under the **Asia/Shanghai** time zone (UTC +8), the port functions as a strategically positioned gateway for inland‑China logistics and trans‑Pacific shipping. Its natural deep‑water basin, combined with extensive land‑side development, enables the handling of a diversified cargo mix ranging from bulk commodities to high‑value containers. As part of the **Yangtze River Economic Belt**, Taizhou plays a pivotal role in China’s “Dual Circulation” strategy, linking domestic production bases with global markets while supporting regional industrial clusters such as shipbuilding, petrochemicals, and high‑tech manufacturing. --- ## History The origins of Taizhou’s maritime facilities trace back to the **Qing Dynasty**, when the city operated modest riverine wharves for grain and tea transport. Modern port development accelerated after the **1950s**, when the central government designated Taizhou as a **national inland‑sea port** to relieve pressure on Shanghai and Ningbo. The 1990s saw a series of **State Council‑approved expansion projects**, transforming the site into a deep‑draft seaport capable of accommodating 10,000‑plus‑ton vessels. In **2005**, the port was incorporated into the **Jiangsu Provincial Port Group**, receiving significant state subsidies that funded the construction of container terminals and the establishment of the **Taizhou Free Trade Zone**. Recent milestones include the **2018 inauguration of the 100‑meter‑deep berths** and the **2021 launch of an automated quay crane system**, positioning Taizhou among China’s most technologically advanced ports. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities | Facility | Specification | Operational Impact | |----------|----------------|--------------------| | **Berths** | 38 berths; 15 for container ships (up to 15,000 TEU), 12 for bulk carriers (draft ≈ 12 m) | Enables simultaneous handling of diverse vessel types | | **Container Terminals** | 2 dedicated terminals; total area **≈ 1.2 km²**; equipped with **36 Super‑Post‑Panamax gantry cranes**, **15 RTGs**, and **automated guided vehicles (AGVs)** | Supports an annual throughput of **≈ 3.8 million TEU** (2023) | | **Bulk & Project Cargo** | 4 deep‑water berths with heavy‑lift cranes (up to 600 t), grain elevators (4 Mt/yr), and oil terminals (2 Mt/yr) | Serves the steel, petrochemical, and agricultural sectors of Jiangsu | | **Warehousing** | 80 ha of covered storage, chilled facilities, and bonded warehouses within the Free Trade Zone | Provides value‑added services such as repackaging, customs clearance, and inspection | | **Intermodal Connectivity** | Direct links to **China Railway high‑speed network (Jiangsu‑Zhejiang corridor)**, Expressway **G15**, and the **Taizhou Port Railway** (freight‑only line, 150 km) | Guarantees sub‑24‑hour inland delivery to major logistics hubs such as Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou | | **Digital Platforms** | Port Community System (PCS) integrated with **China Customs** and **UN/LOCODE** databases, offering real‑time vessel tracking, electronic data interchange (EDI), and blockchain‑based cargo certification | Improves turnaround efficiency by 15 % and reduces paperwork overhead | The port’s **navigation channel** is dredged to a depth of **17 m** and a width of **300 m**, meeting the International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements for **Panamax‑plus** vessels. Shore power installations allow at‑berth electricity supply for emission‑controlled operations, aligning with China’s **“Green Shipping”** initiatives. --- ## Economic Importance Taizhou’s port contributes **≈ 4.2 %** of Jiangsu’s total seaport cargo volume, equating to **~ 65 million metric tonnes** per annum. Its economic impact can be segmented into three principal domains: 1. **Industrial Enablement** – The port underpins the region’s **shipbuilding**, **automotive parts**, and **phosphate fertilizer** industries by delivering raw materials (iron ore, coal, phosphates) and exporting finished goods. The on‑site **Industrial Park** hosts over **250 enterprises**, generating a combined **annual output value of USD 9.5 billion**. 2. **Logistics & Services** – The **Taizhou Free Trade Zone** attracts foreign direct investment (FDI) in warehousing, freight forwarding, and e‑commerce fulfillment. In 2022, FDI inflows reached **USD 1.2 billion**, reflecting the port’s role as a low‑cost, high‑efficiency logistics hub. 3. **Employment & Tax Revenue** – Direct port operations employ **≈ 18,000** staff, while ancillary services add another **≈ 42,000** jobs. Tax contributions from port‑related activities amount to **¥ 5.4 billion** annually, supporting provincial fiscal stability. These figures illustrate the port’s status as a **critical node** in China’s supply‑chain architecture, reinforcing both regional competitiveness and national trade objectives. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Trade Routes - **East Asia–North America**: Regular services to **Los Angeles**, **Seattle**, and **Vancouver** carried by **line vessels of 14,000–16,000 TEU** capacity, supporting containerized consumer goods and electronic components. - **Intra‑Asia**: High‑frequency feeder lines to **Shanghai**, **Ningbo**, **Qingdao**, and **Singapore**, facilitating regional redistribution of bulk commodities and intermediate manufactured parts. - **Europe & Middle East**: Monthly calls by **VLOC (Very Large Ore Carriers)** to **Hamburg**, **Rotterdam**, and **Dubai**, primarily transporting iron ore and coal for Jiangsu’s steel mills. ### Major Cargo | Cargo Type | Approx. Annual Volume | Primary Origin / Destination | |------------|----------------------|------------------------------| | **Containers (import/export)** | 3.8 million TEU | Imports: electronics from South Korea, Japan; Exports: textiles & machinery to US, EU | | **Iron Ore** | 12 Mt | Origin: Australia, Brazil | | **Coal** | 9 Mt | Origin: Indonesia, Mongolia | | **Petrochemicals** (ethylene, polypropylene) | 4 Mt | Origin: Domestic refineries; Export to Southeast Asia | | **Agricultural Products** (soybeans, corn) | 5 Mt | Origin: Brazil, USA; Domestic distribution | | **Automotive Parts** | 1.3 Mt | Export to EU, NAFTA markets | The cargo matrix reflects a **balanced mix** of **raw material imports** and **value‑added exports**, leveraging Taizhou’s deep‑draft capabilities to accommodate both **bulk carriers** and **container ships**. Continuous improvements in **terminal automation** and **intermodal links** are expanding the port’s capacity to handle **specialized cargo**, such as **cold chain pharmaceuticals** and **oversized project equipment**. --- ### References - United Nations Economic Commission for Europe – **UN/LOCODE Database** (https://unece.org/trade/locode) - Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China – **Port of Taizhou Development Report 2023** (http://www.mot.gov.cn) *This article provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of the Port of Taizhou (CNTZO), emphasizing its strategic infrastructure, historical evolution, economic significance, and pivotal role within global shipping networks.*

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

CNTZO

Country

China

Province / Region

Jiangsu

Latitude

32.480000

Longitude

119.900000

Timezone

Asia/Shanghai

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

Loading Map...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Taizhou?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Taizhou is CNTZO.

Where is Port of Taizhou located?

The Port of Taizhou is located in China, Jiangsu. Its coordinates are 32.4800°N, 119.9000°E.

What time zone is Port of Taizhou in?

Port of Taizhou operates in the Asia/Shanghai time zone.

Scanning Local Infrastructure...

About the World Port Index

This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.