TIANJIN, April 10 (Xinhua) -- China's Tianjin port is expected to see a marked increase in throughput by 2020 thanks to rising cargo volume after the north China city was allowed to pilot free trade zone.

"We will strive to improve the throughput to 650 million tonnes by 2020...to support Tianjin city to develop into a key international shipping center in the China's north," Zhang Liyi, spokesperson of Tianjin Port Co., said on Sunday.

As the world's fourth largest port, Tianjin handled 540 million tonnes of cargo last year, almost flat with the volume seen in 2014.

The Tianjin Free Trade Experimental Zone was inaugurated in April last year to further opening up and stimulate trade amid a sluggish global economic recovery.

The cargo and container throughput will see steady improvement this year, Zhang said.

The port will also strengthen cooperation with companies in railway transport and shipping to facilitate goods trade with foreign countries, Zhang added.