Tongjiang Port in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province started transporting passengers with hovercrafts on Monday as the lower reaches of the Heilongjiang River entered its ice floating season due to temperature drops. More than 100 passengers commuted via the hovercraft which made eight journeys on Monday. With each ride capable of carrying 16 passengers in around five minutes, the hovercraft serves as an important means of transportation to secure trade exchanges between China and Russia.