Dongzhou Wharf in Fuyang district, Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/hangzhou.zjol.com.cn]

Cargo throughput at the Hangzhou Port from January to September was measured at 105 million tons, a year-on-year rise of 8.2 percent, according to statistics recently released by Hangzhou authorities.

The Hangzhou Port's cargo throughput is expected to break a new record this year if it continues rising at a similar pace.

The Hangzhou Port connects the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Qiantang River, and the Hangyong Canal. Its channels have a total combined length of 2,006 kilometers.

Hangzhou's ports consist of a total of nine wharfs with more than 780 berths. These wharfs are distributed throughout the downtown areas of Hangzhou and its five districts and counties. 

Officials have said that water cargo throughput in Hangzhou accounts for nearly one third of total cargo throughput in the city. Water transportation in Hangzhou is expected to continue to play a significant role despite an increase in railway and highway transportation capacity in recent years.

According to Hangzhou authorities, construction materials in the city are now mainly transported by water. By the end of September, the amount of construction materials transported via the Hangzhou Port had reached 40 million tons.

The city's strong water transportation capacity has greatly alleviated pressure on highways and railways and helped preserve environment.