Major Yangtze River port city near Shanghai, Taicang is famed for its economic vitality and historic maritime significance.
Taicang is a county-level city under Suzhou's jurisdiction in Jiangsu Province, located on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, approximately 40 miles northwest of Shanghai. Covering 810-823 square kilometers with a population exceeding 1 million, it consistently ranks among China's top county-level cities for economic competitiveness. Taicang Port serves as a crucial component of Shanghai's international shipping center and stands as the largest foreign trade port on the Yangtze River, ranking 31st among the world's top 100 container ports. The port handles over 3.7 million TEUs annually and has established 198 container routes connecting global markets.
Taicang Port features multiple deep-water container terminals with over 2,000 meters of berth length and 12.5-meter water depth, supporting Panamax and post-Panamax vessels. Facilities include specialized terminals for containers, bulk, liquid chemicals, and automobiles. Key equipment comprises more than a dozen quay cranes, over 40 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs), reachstackers, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). The port also offers a large bonded logistics area and advanced yard management systems for efficient cargo handling.
Taicang, China, has two main container handling zones with a total of around 15 container berths. The port’s annual container capacity is approximately 4.35 million TEU. Automation is moderate, featuring centralized control offices and extensive CCTV, but not fully automated operations. Major operators include Taicang International Container Terminal (TICT) and global carriers such as Maersk and MSC. The port serves as a key hub in the Yangtze River Delta.
Taicang Port serves as a strategic gateway on the Yangtze River, connecting to over 120 ports globally with 198 container routes. Located just 60 kilometers from Shanghai, it links the prosperous Yangtze River Delta with international shipping lanes across Asia, Europe, and Africa. The port serves the industrial heartland of Jiangsu Province and plays a crucial role in China's Belt and Road Initiative, ranking eighth nationally and 20th worldwide for container throughput. Its position provides seamless access to major economic centers throughout eastern China.
Taicang Port achieved 5.8 million TEU throughput in the first eight months of 2025, representing a 2.2% year-on-year increase. The port ranked 20th globally in 2023 with 8.04 million TEU. Total cargo throughput reached 199 million tons through August 2025, up 7.9% year-on-year. The port features the Yangtze River's largest roll-on/roll-off terminal for automobile exports and handles over 600,000 vehicles annually. Foreign trade cargo totaled 86.59 million tons, increasing 11.7% year-on-year.
