The vessel Stardust unloads its cargo in the Laotangshan port area in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

The vessel Stardust unloaded 32,000 metric tons of soybeans at a wharf in the Laotangshan port area of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port on Oct 10, marking a significant milestone for Zhoushan Port in grain throughput.

Since the substantial integration of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in 2015, Ningbo Zhoushan Port Zhoushan Port Co has focused on enhancing the grain supply and transport capabilities of Laotangshan, the largest designated grain import port in the Yangtze River Delta. Over nine years, the port has achieved a cumulative grain throughput exceeding 100 million tons.

Grain operations at Laotangshan began in 2004, and by 2014, the Laotangshan work area become the largest designated grain import port in Zhejiang province with an annual grain throughput of 6.7 million tons.

Since 2015, Zhoushan Port Co has transitioned the Laotangshan work area from a mineral-focused to a grain-focused operation. The company has strengthened ties with the Zhoushan International Grain and Oil Industrial Park and engaged with major domestic and international grain clients.

In 2023, the port's grain throughput reached 18.18 million tons, a 171 percent increase compared to what it was 10 years ago, with grain becoming the signature cargo of Laotangshan.

Zhoushan Port Co has built an efficient and convenient full-chain logistics system for grain, promoting collaboration among ports, railways, shipping, and logistics, while continuously innovating logistics models.

Through digital innovation and infrastructure upgrades, the company has revitalized its operations, driving significant growth in grain throughput.