In February 2008, YICT's Phase III was awarded the Tien-Yow Jeme Prize, one of China's highest awards for civil engineering and construction, by the China Civil Engineering Society and the Tien-Yow Jeme Civil Engineering Science and Technology Development Fund. The prize recognises engineering projects that demonstrate superior application of new technologies, especially those that can potentially improve China's overall technological capabilities. And Mr. Tien-Yow Jeme (April 26, 1861 – April 24, 1919) is the most distinguished railway engineer in China's modern history, often called the Father of China's railways.

Phase III was the only container port project among this year's 29 winners to receive this honour. The award comes just three months after the new phase won the Luban Prize, another major construction-related award, underlining the exceptional excellence of YICT's new construction project. As with the previous award, the appraisal committee for the Tien-Yow Jeme Prize recognised Phase III's outstanding innovation and use of advanced design and construction technologies. 

The design of Phase III includes several "firsts" for China's port-construction industry. Six new techniques were applied to the quay deck structure and ground enforcement.

In terms of construction, Phase III earned recognition for the well-defined loading path of its quay deck, which enabled a smooth flow of construction activities, better quality control, and a shorter construction period. The project also used many raking and socket piles as well as seamless welding techniques for steel rails. Other new technologies enhanced corrosion protection for concrete structures and increased resistance to surface cracking. Furthermore, the latest American and German equipment was used to build the pilings. Finally, rigorous testing was conducted to ensure that no major repairs or alterations of the terminal would be required for 50 years.

The Fourth Harbor Engineering Company and the Second Engineering Bureau of China Railway began building Phase III in 2002. In August 2006, the project passed inspection by the State Examination and Acceptance Committee, with the committee ranking the construction as "excellent". That same year, the Ministry of Communications granted the new phase its Quality Port and Engineering Project Award. During construction, all 17 of the water shipment sub projects of Phase III were rated as having "excellent engineering quality", with an exceptional score of 100 per cent.