To scientifically determine the berth grade of Yangshan deepwater port phase IV project,we analyze comprehensively the trends of ship enlargement,global port & waterways infrastructure upgrading and development of ports along the Yangtze River.Considering both characteristics of the ships and shipping route of Yangshan deepwater port and the utilization of the deepwater shoreline resources and demand for the construction of a super-large fully-automated container port,we demonstrate the necessity and feasibility of Yangshan phase IV project to construct a 100 000 tons or more large-scale deepwater berths.