EASTERN China's Yangtze River city Nanjing has started construction of the first phase of the Nanjing Yangtze River International Shipping and Logistics Service Centre, a business building cluster costing CNY50 billion (US$7.84 billion) to build, Xinhua reports.

The first phase cost CNY3.3 billion, covering a land area of 35,000 square metres and a total floor area of 290,000 square metres. Construction is expected to be finished by the end of 2014.

The Nanjing Yangtze River International Shipping and Logistics Service Centre will be a business cluster for carriers, freight forwarders, trading, personnel training and technological development.

Nanjing plans to deepen its navigational channel to 12.5 metres during the 12th National Five-Year Plan period from 2011 to 2015. After the upgrade, Nanjing port can accommodate ships of 80,000 tonnes while 100,000-tonne ships can sail on the channel on high tides. This will facilitate the port's river-sea intermodal service and boost its upgrade from a river port to a seaport, unveiling greater potential of the port's development towards a shipping hub.