Blank Sailings Hit China Ports in October

Blank Sailings Hit China Ports in October

CONTAINER volume at eight major Chinese ports declined 7.3 per cent year on year in early October, reports the UK’s Seatrade Maritime News and is expected to continue into November.

Export volume fell 9.4 percent while the domestic volume dropped 0.9 percent as 20 percent services between Asia and North America were suspended during September and October to counter falling in rates.

Cargo throughput at major coastal hub ports increased 8.1 percent, said the report, adding that international trade cargo volume grew 2.5 percent while domestic volume increased 24.4 percent.

Crude oil shipments at major coastal ports increased 0.3 percent year on year. Volume growth at the port of Ningbo-Zhoushan and Rizhao was up 13 percent.

Metal ore shipments at major Chinese ports increased 1.9 percent while the port inventory grew 12.9 percent.

Cargo throughput at three major Yangtze river ports, Nanjing, Wuhan and Chongqing dropped 2.1 percent while container volume increased 1.4 percent.