The Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China's Zhejiang Province has surpassed 40 million TEU in annual container throughput for the first time, reported Xinhua.

Zhejiang Seaport Group said the port has ranked first globally in annual cargo throughput for 16 consecutive years. Despite starting late in container operations, throughput rose from 10 million TEU to 20 million in seven years, then to 30 million in six years, and has now reached 40 million in just four years.

Officials said the port's ability to serve national strategies, regional development and global clients has been continuously strengthened.

Ningbo-Zhoushan has built a maritime network of more than 300 container shipping routes linking over 600 ports in more than 200 countries and regions. It operates over 210 berths for ships of 10,000 tonnes or above, including more than 135 berths for vessels over 50,000 tonnes, making it one of the world's leading ports for deep-water capacity.

Zhejiang Province has rolled out an action plan in recent years to boost the competitiveness and global influence of the port.