North China's Tianjin Port handled approximately 4.63 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers in the first three months of 2022, expanding 3.5% year on year.

Chinese state media said the throughput figure marks a "record high" for the port compared to the same period in previous years.

"Despite negative impacts brought by the COVID-19 resurgence, the port has rolled out a series of prevention and control measures to safeguard smooth operation," it added.

Meanwhile, it noted that Tianjin also launched a new direct sea route to Australia and new sea-rail transport services this year.

Tianjin Port on the coast of the Bohai Sea is a pivotal shipping outlet for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

The port in the Tianjin Municipality currently has more than 133 cargo routes, extending trade ties with more than 800 ports in over 200 countries and regions.