Lianyungang Port Becomes Preferred Port for Global Large Ore Carriers

From: Lianyungang Daily Updated: 2025-09-12 03:30

Recently, the 400,000 DWT fully-loaded ore carrier “Ming Yuan” berthed at Berth 87 of the Xinsugang Terminal at Lianyungang Port. This marks that since the opening of Jiangsu’s only 400,000-ton ore terminal over a year ago, it has cumulatively handled 50 calls of these seafaring steel “giants”. Tonnage determines status. With its superior deep-water conditions and efficient operational management, Lianyungang Port is gradually becoming one of the preferred hub ports for global large ore carriers.

On December 19, 2023, the 400,000 DWT fully-loaded ore carrier “Brazil Ore” successfully berthed at the Xinsugang Terminal, marking the official opening and operation of the 400,000-ton ore terminal and ushering Lianyungang Port into the “Large Vessel Era”. As the terminal operator, with strong support from port authorities, Lianyungang Port has fully utilized its deep-water berth advantages, carefully planned, and scientifically organized, formulating customized support plans for each 400,000 DWT vessel calling at the port and implementing refined management throughout the unloading process. Cross-departmental teams synchronize operations with precision to achieve zero-downtime ship handling.

“We have made bold innovations in unloading technology. Through continuous exploration and practice, we have developed an operational method for 400,000 DWT ultra-large bulk carriers, which has significantly improved the vessel unloading rate,” introduced Manager Lv from the Production Department of Xinsugang Terminal Company. As the automation upgrade of the 400,000-DWT ore terminal proceeds steadily, new “intelligent” capabilities are further enhancing the terminal’s loading and unloading capacity. From January to August this year, the company’s throughput increased by 5.97% year-on-year, ore import volume grew by 3.56%, and shipment volume rose by 13.35. It successively achieved records for the maximum draft of incoming vessels, record-breaking monthly throughput and import volume simultaneously, and set new monthly shipment records three times in a row.

It is worth mentioning that the berthed vessel “Ming Yuan” is the world’s first 400,000 DWT intelligent very large ore carrier (VLOC). Having called at Lianyungang Port several times, it has left a vivid mark in the operational history of the 400,000-ton ore terminal. “‘Ming Yuan’ is the 50th call. Just three months ago, this ship served as the 40th calling vessel. Today, its return not only continues its enduring bond with Lianyungang Port but also witnesses a remarkable leap in berthing frequency—from 40 to 50 ultra-large vessel calls,” said Manager Lv. The two key calls of the vessel “Ming Yuan” are like a link between history and reality, connecting the important nodes of the “Large Vessel Era”.

“In 2024, the company handled 25 calls of 400,000 DWT vessels. This year, in less than nine months, we have already handled 24 calls. Behind the data lies the collective wisdom and unremitting efforts of the entire company staff in continuously improving unloading efficiency, optimizing the business environment, and promoting the intelligent transformation and upgrading of the terminal,” said General Manager Zhang of Xinsugang Terminal Company. Guided by the Party building brand “Pursuing the Grand Slam Dream, Fueling Lianyungang’s Ore Prosperity”, the company will continue to empower the high-quality development of Lianyungang Port.