EASTERN China''s Zhangjiagang port saw its annual container throughput surge 32.2 per cent over the preceding year to 814,000 TEU in 2008, Xinhua reported.

Last year, the port handled 127 million tonnes of cargo, up 5.7 per cent. 31.4 million tonnes were foreign trade cargo, down two per cent.

To cope with the impact of world economic crisis, Zhangjiagang port has accelerated infrastructure construction since last year. The port now has a total of 110 berths, 65 are over 10,000 tonnes.