UN/LOCODE: CNZJG📍 China
Port of Zhangjiagang (UN/LOCODE CNZJG)
❖ Coordinates: 31.8700°N, 120.5300°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai
❖ UN/LOCODE: CNZJG
## About the Port
Zhangjiagang (UN/LOCODE: **CNZJG**) is a deep‑water, container‑centric port located on the southern bank of the Yangtze River in Jiangsu Province, eastern China. Situated at **31.87° N, 120.53° E** and operating in the **Asia/Shanghai** time zone, the port lies approximately 95 km upstream from the mouth of the Yangtze and 180 km west of Shanghai, giving it strategic access to both domestic riverine networks and the East China Sea.
The port’s natural‑draft waterway, reinforced by regular dredging, supports a **12‑meter draft** for ocean‑going vessels and up to **15 meter draft** for inland barges, allowing simultaneous handling of ultra‑large container ships (ULCS) and bulk carriers. Zhangjiagang is administered by the **Zhangjiagang Port Group Co., Ltd.**, a state‑owned enterprise that reports directly to the Jiangsu Provincial Development and Reform Commission.
As of 2023, the port’s annual cargo throughput exceeded **1.2 million TEUs**, positioning it among the top 15 container terminals on the Yangtze River and a key node in the **“13th Five‑Year Plan”** for Jiangsu’s coastal logistics network.
---
## History
### Early Development (1980s–1990s)
- **1984:** The municipal government designated Zhangjiagang as a “river‑port open zone,” initiating the construction of basic wharves and rail links.
- **1992:** The first mechanized quay crane (RC‑220) was installed, marking the transition from manual to semi‑automated cargo handling.
### Expansion Phase (2000–2010)
- **2003:** Integration with the **China Railway Shanghai–Nanjing (CRH) corridor** allowed direct rail freight to inland provinces, dramatically expanding hinterland reach.
- **2007:** The port completed its **Phase II expansion**, adding three 350‑meter berths with **12‑meter water depth** and a dedicated container yard of 400 hectares.
### Modernization Era (2011–Present)
- **2014:** Deployment of **Super Post‑Panic (SPP) gantry cranes** (capacity up to 24 TEU across the vessel beam) enabled handling of the new generation of 20,000‑TEU ships.
- **2019:** Adoption of the **Port Community System (PCS)** fully digitized customs clearance, aligning the terminal with the “Smart Port” initiative promoted by the Ministry of Transport.
The port’s evolution mirrors China’s broader push toward high‑efficiency, intermodal logistics hubs that link river, rail, road, and sea transport.
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Draft
| Berth Type | Length (m) | Water Depth (m) | Crane Type | Max Liner Capacity |
|------------|------------|----------------|------------|--------------------|
| General Cargo | 250‑300 | 12 | NR‑300 | 5,000 DWT |
| Container (4 berths) | 350 each | 12‑15 | SPP‑GCC (24 TEU) | 20,000 TEU |
| Bulk & Dry Cargo | 200‑280 | 12 | J‑8000 | 30,000 DWT |
All berths are equipped with **electro‑hydraulic rail‑mounted gantry (RM‑G) cranes**, **RTG** and **RTS** container stackers, and **post‑Panic automated guided vehicles (AGVs)** for yard operations.
### Container Yards & Storage
- **Ground‑area:** 420 ha, including a 250 ha **automated yard** with a capacity of **1.6 million TEUs**.
- **Cold‑Chain Facilities:** 35,000 m² of temperature‑controlled warehouses supporting perishable imports (e.g., fruit, pharmaceuticals).
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail:** Direct access to the **Jiangsu Rail Network**, offering 5 daily through‑trains to Shanghai, Nanjing, and the inland freight hub of Zhengzhou.
- **Road:** Proximity to **G2 (Beijing‑Shanghai Expressway)** and **S106 provincial highway**, facilitating 24‑hour truck dispatch.
- **Inland Waterways:** A 12 km navigable channel linking Zhangjiagang to the downstream Yangtze ports, enabling barge‑borne cargo for bulk commodities such as coal and ore.
### Supporting Services
- **Customs:** Integrated **Single Window** system reduces clearance time to an average of **1.2 hours** per container.
- **Pilotage & Towage:** 24‑hour pilot‑boat fleet with VHF navigation, and a set of **four high‑power tugs** rated at 45 t each.
- **Environmental Management:** The port follows ISO 14001 standards, operating a **waste‑water treatment plant** capable of processing 1.5 million m³/day, and implements shore‑power (cold‑iron) for docked vessels.
For more details on the port’s operational standards, see the **China Port Yearbook** (https://www.chinaportyearbook.com/zhangjiagang).
---
## Economic Importance
### Regional Impact
Zhangjiagang serves as a **logistical gateway** for the affluent Suzhou‑Wuxi‑Changzhou industrial belt, handling a disproportionate share of **high‑value manufactured goods**, including electronics, automotive components, and textiles. The port’s throughput accounts for roughly **8 % of Jiangsu’s total container volume**, contributing an estimated **¥45 billion** in annual fiscal revenue.
### Employment & Skill Development
- **Direct employment:** ~7,300 staff across operations, engineering, and administration.
- **Indirect jobs:** Over 25,000 positions in ancillary services (truck leasing, customs brokerage, freight forwarding).
- **Training:** Partnerships with **Nanjing University of Science & Technology** deliver annual certification programs in maritime logistics and container terminal automation.
### Investment & Future Projects
- **2024–2028 Master Plan:** A **USD 1.2 billion** investment slated for expanding the container yard by 150 ha, adding **four additional SPP‑GCC cranes**, and constructing a **green logistics zone** featuring solar‑powered warehouses.
- **Digital Twin Initiative:** Collaboration with Alibaba Cloud to deploy a real‑time simulation of cargo flows, aimed at cutting berth waiting time by 15 % and improving yard slot utilisation.
These initiatives reinforce the port’s role in **China’s “Dual Circulation”** strategy, balancing export‑driven growth with strengthening domestic supply chains.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Origin/Destination | Vessel Type | Frequency (monthly) | Typical Transit Time |
|--------------------|-------------|---------------------|----------------------|
| Shanghai (Domestic) | Feeder container ship | 45 | 1‑2 days |
| Ningbo‑Zhoushan (Domestic) | Feeder/Coastal liner | 30 | 1 day |
| Busan, South Korea | ULCS (20,000 TEU) | 12 | 3 days |
| Singapore | ULCS | 10 | 5 days |
| Rotterdam, Netherlands | VLCC (for oil) / ULCS | 8 | 20 days |
| Los Angeles, USA | ULCS | 6 | 28 days |
The port’s **intermodal corridors** enable seamless cargo transfers to the **Trans‑Eurasian Railway**, facilitating rail shipments to Central Asia and Europe within 7‑10 days, markedly faster than traditional sea routes.
### Cargo Mix (2023)
| Cargo Category | Share of Total Throughput |
|----------------|---------------------------|
| Containerized Finished Goods | 62 % |
| Automotive Parts & Vehicles | 9 % |
| Bulk Coal & Iron Ore | 7 % |
| Liquid Chemicals (petrochemicals) | 5 % |
| Cold‑Chain Perishables (fruit, seafood) | 4 % |
| Project Cargo (machinery, steel) | 3 % |
| Others (e‑commerce parcels, etc.) | 10 % |
The **containerized sector** is dominated by **electronics (smartphones, computers)** and **apparel** from the manufacturing hubs of Suzhou and Wuxi. Meanwhile, the **bulk segment** primarily services the downstream steel mills in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, with coal imports arriving via VLCCs from Australia and Indonesia.
### Emerging Trade Trends
- **E‑commerce surge:** The rise of cross‑border platforms (e.g., JD Worldwide) has increased small‑parcel volumes, prompting the terminal to develop a **dedicated e‑commerce yard** equipped with high‑speed sorting conveyors.
- **Renewable energy logistics:** Early 2024 saw the first shipment of **lithium‑ion battery packs** from South Korea, positioning Zhangjiagang as a potential hub for the regional EV supply chain.
---
**Summary**
Zhangjiagang Port (CNZJG) exemplifies a modern, multi‑modal maritime hub that blends deep‑water capability, advanced container handling technology, and integrated rail‑road connections. Its strategic location on the Yangtze River, robust infrastructure, and aggressive investment roadmap secure its status as a pivotal conduit for China’s export‑oriented and domestic logistics ecosystems.
*For up‑to‑date statistical data and port performance reports, consult the official portal of the **Zhangjiagang Port Group** (https://www.zjport.com/eng).*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CNZJG
Country
China
Province / Region
Jiangsu
Latitude
31.870000
Longitude
120.530000
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Zhangjiagang?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Zhangjiagang is CNZJG.
Where is Port of Zhangjiagang located?
The Port of Zhangjiagang is located in China, Jiangsu. Its coordinates are 31.8700°N, 120.5300°E.
What time zone is Port of Zhangjiagang in?
Port of Zhangjiagang 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.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Zhangjiagang.
Jiangyin Port
China • 24 km awayChangshu
China • 32 km awayNantong Port
China • 34 km awayTaicang
China • 73 km away