UN/LOCODE: CNWNZ📍 China

Port of Wenzhou (UN/LOCODE CNWNZ)

❖ Coordinates: 27.9943°N, 120.6994°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai

❖ UN/LOCODE: CNWNZ

## About the Port Wenzhou Port (UN/LOCODE: **CNWNZ**) is a deep‑water, multi‑purpose seaport situated on the Oujiang River estuary in the southeastern coastal city of Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Positioned at latitude **27.994267° N** and longitude **120.699367° E**, the port lies on the western shore of the East China Sea, approximately 300 km south of Shanghai and 150 km north of Fuzhou. Its strategic location places it on the maritime corridor linking the Yangtze River Delta with the Pearl River Delta, making it a natural gateway for intra‑regional trade and for vessels transiting between the South China Sea‑bound shipping lanes. The port operates under the administration of the Wenzhou Municipal Government’s Port Authority, which reports to the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Transport. Wenzhou is classified as a **Grade‑A** port in China’s national port hierarchy, reflecting its capacity to handle vessels of up to 100,000 DWT and its integration into the national logistics network. The port’s functional zones include the **Oujiang River Inner Harbour**, the **Dongtou Outer Harbour**, and several specialized terminals located on reclaimed land and adjacent industrial parks. ### Key Statistics (202365|Annual container throughput (TEU) – ≈ 1.2 million (2023) | |Total cargo tonnage – ≈ 45 million t (2023) | |Berth length – ≈ 4 km across 30+ berths | |Maximum draft – 16.5 m (outer harbour) | | hinterland rail links – Wenzhou–Fuzhou high‑speed freight line, connecting to the Shanghai‑Kunming corridor ## History The origins of Wenzhou’s maritime activity trace back to the **Tang Dynasty (618‑907 AD)**, when the Oujiang River served as a conduit for silk, tea, and ceramic exports to overseas markets via the Maritime Silk Road. By the **Song Dynasty**, Wenzhou had become a notable shipbuilding center, producing junks that plied the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. Modern port development commenced in the **early 1950s** after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, when the Oujiang River was dredged to accommodate larger coastal freighters. The 1980s marked a turning point: China’s opening‑up policy prompted the construction of the **Oujiang River Deep‑Water Channel** (completed 1992), which increased the navigable depth from 5 m to 9 m, enabling vessels of up to 30,000 DWT to call at Wenzhou. In the **2000s**, the port underwent a major expansion program under the **Zhejiang Provincial Port Development Plan**. Land reclamation created the **Dongtou Outer Harbour**, a deep‑water basin capable of berthing Panamax and post‑Panamax ships. Concurrently, specialized terminals for containers, bulk commodities, and roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) cargo were commissioned. The **Wenzhou Container Terminal**, operated by China Merchants Port Holdings, began operations in 2008 and has since become the port’s flagship facility. Recent initiatives focus on **green port** measures: shore‑power installation for container ships, adoption of electric gantry cranes, and implementation of an automated vessel traffic service (VTS) integrated with the Shanghai Shipping Exchange. These upgrades align with China’s 2030 carbon‑peak objectives and enhance Wenzhou’s competitiveness as a logistics hub. ## Infrastructure & Facilities Wenzhou Port’s infrastructure is organized into three primary zones, each serving distinct cargo segments: ### 1. Oujiang River Inner Harbour - **Location:** Upstream of the river mouth, within the urban district. - **Depth:** 8–10 m (maintained through regular dredging). - **Facilities:** 12 general‑cargo berths handling breakbulk, project cargo, and timber; a dedicated **Ro‑Ro ramp** for automobiles and machinery; warehousing capacity of ~300,000 m². - **Connections:** Direct access to the city’s arterial road network and the Wenzhou Railway Station via the Wenzhou–Fuzhou freight line. ### 2. Dongtou Outer Harbour - **Location:** Offshore on reclaimed land in Dongtou County, about 12 km from the city centre. - **Depth:** 14–16.5 m (allowing vessels up to 100,000 DWT). - **Facilities:** - **Container Terminal:** 3 berths, 1,200 m quay length, equipped with 6 STS cranes (45‑tonne outreach) and 18 RTG cranes; annual capacity ≈ 1.8 million TEU. - **Bulk Terminal:** 2 berths for iron ore, coal, and grain; equipped with ship‑loaders and conveyors handling up to 10 Mt/yr. - **Liquid Cargo Terminal:** 1 berth with pipelines for crude oil, chemicals, and LPG; storage tanks totaling 250,000 m³. - **Automation:** Integrated terminal operating system (TOS) linked to the **China Port Community System** for real‑time data exchange with customs, shipping lines, and hinterland operators. ### 3. Supporting Infrastructure - **Rail:** The **Wenzhou–Fuzhou High‑Speed Freight Corridor** (operational 2021) provides double‑track, electrified rail with a design speed of 120 km/h, linking the port to the national rail grid. - **Road:** Expressways G15 (Shenyang–Haikou) and G15W (Wenzhou–Lishui) provide direct access to the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta. - **Utilities:** On‑site power substation (220 kV), freshwater treatment plant, and marine fuel bunkering facility (MGO/MDO) meeting IMO 2020 sulfur limits. - **Safety & Security:** ISPS Code compliant port security, 24/7 VTS radar coverage, and dedicated tugboat fleet (4 × 3,000 hp ASD tugs). ## Economic Importance Wenzhou Port is a pivotal engine for Zhejiang’s export‑oriented economy, which ranks among China’s top provinces in manufacturing output. The port facilitates the movement of key commodity streams: - **Manufactured Goods:** Electronics, textiles, footwear, and machinery—products for which Wenzhou’s private enterprises are globally renowned. Direct container links to Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East reduce transit times by 2–3 days compared with transshipment via Shanghai or Ningbo‑Zhoushan. - **Raw Materials:** Import of iron ore, coal, and crude oil fuels the province’s steel, petrochemical, and power generation sectors. The bulk terminal’s capacity supports the **Wenzhou Iron and Steel Group** and several regional refineries. - **Agricultural Products:** Inbound grain and soybean shipments supply the local food processing industry; outbound exports of aquatic products (notably Wenzhou’s famed yellow croaker) reach markets in Japan and South Korea. The port’s contribution to regional GDP is estimated at **¥120 billion annually** (≈ US$17 billion), representing roughly 8 % of Zhejiang’s industrial output value. Employment generated directly and indirectly by port operations exceeds **150,000 jobs**, spanning stevedoring, logistics, customs brokerage, and ancillary services. Furthermore, Wenzhou Port acts as a **logistics aggregator** for the Oujiang River basin, consolidating cargo from smaller inland ports (e.g., Lishui, Taizhou) and enabling efficient multimodal transfer to rail and highway networks. This hinterland integration reduces logistics costs for manufacturers by an estimated 10‑15 % and enhances supply‑chain resilience. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Primary Maritime Lanes 1. **East Asia – Southeast Asia Loop** – Regular feeder services connect Wenzhou to Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, and Ho Chi Minh City, supporting the electronics and apparel supply chains. 2. **Trans‑Pacific Route** – Direct calls by COSCO Shipping and OOCL vessels to Los Angeles and Long Beach, carrying containerized consumer goods and returning with scrap metal and waste paper. 3. **Europe–Mediterranean Service** – Maersk and MSC operate bi‑weekly loops via the Suez Canal, loading machinery and textiles at Wenzhou and discharging automotive parts and chemical products in Rotterdam and Valencia. 4. **Domestic Coastal Circuit** – Frequent shuttle services to Shanghai, Ningbo‑Zhoushan, and Xiamen facilitate cabotage and relieve congestion on the main trunk lines. ### Major Cargo Types (2023) | Cargo Category | Share of Total Tonnage | Notable Commodities | |---|---|---| | **Containerized Goods** | 38 % | Electronics, garments, footwear, plastic products, machinery parts | | **Bulk Solids** | 32 % | Iron ore, coal, grain, bauxite, sand | | **Liquid Bulk** | 15 % | Crude oil, refined petroleum, LPG, chemicals | | **Ro‑Ro / Vehicles** | 8 % | Automobiles, trucks, construction machinery | | **General Breakbulk** | 7 % | Steel coils, timber, project cargo (wind turbine components) | The port’s **container throughput** has risen at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4 % over the past five years, driven by the expansion of the Dongtou container terminal and the establishment of a **dual‑gate** system that reduces truck turnaround time to under 45 minutes. In summary, Wenzhou Port’s advantageous geographic position, modern deep‑water facilities, and strong hinterland connectivity render it a critical node in China’s maritime logistics network. Its continued investment in automation, environmental sustainability, and multimodal integration positions the port to accommodate the evolving demands of global trade while supporting the industrial dynamism of Zhejiang Province.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

CNWNZ

Country

China

Province / Region

Zhejiang

Latitude

27.994267

Longitude

120.699367

Timezone

Asia/Shanghai

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Wenzhou?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Wenzhou is CNWNZ.

Where is Port of Wenzhou located?

The Port of Wenzhou is located in China, Zhejiang. Its coordinates are 27.9943°N, 120.6994°E.

What time zone is Port of Wenzhou in?

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

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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.

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