Chinese ports shift to domestic trade as foreign trade slips 6%

May 12, 2009 (China Knowledge) - Major Chinese ports are shifting their focus to domestic trade since cargo throughput for foreign trade has been decreasing, falling 6% from the previous year to 160 million tons in April, while domestic cargo throughput shows a year-on-year growth of 0.1%, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Transport (MOT).

Shenzhen Yantian Port, which is the country's second largest port by container throughput and traditionally depends on foreign trade, put more emphasis on domestic business this year. The port has increased the number of its domestic shipping lines, and plans to expand its bulk cargo business in the domestic market, said Sun Junmin, public relations director of Shenzhen Yantian Port Group.

Tianjin Port, the third largest port by cargo throughput in China, has also been exploring ways to expand in the domestic market. It recently teamed up with COSCO Group and China Shipping to open shipping lines from Tianjin to Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Many Chinese ports that typically mainly rely on domestic market were less affected by the global financial crisis. Guangzhou Port, China's fifth largest port by container throughput, realized throughput of 21 million tons in April, and suffers comparatively little from the crisis as it has been concentrating on the domestic market, said Li Pin, public relations director of Guangzhou Port.