Wuhan port to expand into major Hubei provincial complex

PostTime:2021-06-16 08:09:42 View:235

WUHAN, the capital of Hubei province, is on the drawing board to become a major regional port under the Wuhan Port and Shipping Development Group, reports Colchester's Seatrade Maritime News To be renamed Hubei Provincial Port Group, it will integrate state-owned provincial port assets along Yangtze and Han river. Provincial authorities will allocate CNY1 billion (US$156 million in 2021 and 2022 to support major infrastructure construction and project development for ports integration. Hubei posted a cargo throughput of 380 million tons and a container volume of 2.29 million TEU last year, an increase of 23.9 per cent and 9.8 per cent respectively, establishing it as a leading port in the middle reaches of the of Yangtze that flows from Chongqing to Shanghai. In recent years, several Chinese provincial port groups had been established, such as Shandong Port Group, Liaoning Port Group and Zhejiang Sea Port Group, for strengthening the ports' competiveness and improving efficiency.

Zhoushan yards lose over 200 repair jobs due to Covid restrictions

PostTime:2021-06-10 08:38:42 View:306

Shipyards the Chinese repair centre of Zhoushand are losing hundreds of ships repair jobs due strict to Covid-19 restrictions on international vessel arrivals. Katherine Si | Jun 09, 2021 The Chinese ship repair base has lost over 200 international vessels repair orders had cancelled at major yards in Zhoushan as international owners with vessels arriving from countries with renewed Covid outbreaks and variants are unable to get permission to bring their ships in. Starting from the end of April, several Covid-19 infection cases were found on international ships arriving at Chinese port at the Chinese ports and restrictions on vessels arrivals were increased by the authorities. Related: Delays of 14 days expected at Yantian port due to tighter Covid controls To strengthen the virus prevention and control, Zhoushan is carrying more strict examinations on crew changes and ship voyage tracking, and as a result almost no new international ships had been sent to Zhoushan for repair work in recent days. Some of the countries where there have severe Covid-19 outbreaks are on the list suspending approval for ship entry. Related: Chinese ship repair output soars 48% boosted by scrubber and ballast water retrofits Policies for Zhoushan’s ship repair industry are going to be reviewed later this month, hopefully it could bring some good news to the repair yards, an official from a Zhoushan ship repair company said to local media. In 2020  Zhoushan yards repaired some 1,900 overseas vessels. The number is likely to fall this year if current pandemic controls remain in place into the second half the year.

Cosco Shipping and China Mobile ink 5G agreement for Wuhan’s Yangluo port

PostTime:2021-06-02 09:08:03 View:259

Cosoc Shipping Ports Wuhan unit and China Mobile Wuhan branch have signed strategic agreement to develop 5G technology for water-rail transportation of Yangluo port. Katherine Si | Jun 01, 2021 According to the agreement, the two parties will jointly develop 5G smart port construction and explore new applications of 5G technology on port operation, to develop the second phase water-rail transportation project at Yangluo port and make it to be a green, intelligent and efficient inland river port. The second phase water-rail transportation project at Yangluo port is scheduled to be put into trial operation in August 2021, reconstructing four bulk cargo berths into four 5,000 tonne-class container berths. Related: Tianjin port signs 5G technology development deal with China Mobile In the first fourth months this year, container volume at Wuhan port was 884,300 teu a substantial growth of 177.4% year on year.

HK's pain is Shenzhen's gain, says HK-based research company head

PostTime:2021-04-12 08:23:32 View:400

HONG Kong is hurting. The relentless assault on the city's long-standing freedoms might be the most visible aspect, but its economy is also suffering, says Simon Cartledge founder and owner of Big Brains, a Hong Kong-based research and publishing company, in a commentary published in the Tokyo-headquartered Nikkei Asia. The former Asia editor-in-chief of the Economist Intelligence Unit and author of "A System Apart: Hong Kong's Political Economy from 1997 Until Now" said that any comparison with the mainland powerhouse city of Shenzhen - Hong Kong's immediate neighbour - highlights what is wrong. Shenzhen, famously nothing more than a border town and home to only a few hundred thousand people when China launched its economic reforms in 1979, finally saw its economy catch up with Hong Kong's in 2018. Since then, Hong Kong's economy - battered first by anti-government protests, then by COVID-19 - has shrunk for two successive years. Growth will return this year of between 3.5 and 5.5 per cent, according to HK's Financial Secretary Paul Chan. But the rebound will be subdued. By my calculations, the economy will not regain its 2018 size until 2023, while unemployment, now at 7 per cent, will remain high for at least three years, according to Labour and Welfare Secretary Law Chi Kwong. Shenzhen, despite the pandemic, has barely even blinked. In 2019 it grew 6.7 per cent. Last year, it grew 3.1 per cent, comfortably faster than the 2.3 per cent for China as a whole. This year, the city's economy is set to expand by at least 7 per cent, with 2022 likely to be similar. Crunch the numbers, and by the end of next year, Shenzhen will have an economy more than 25 per cent bigger than Hong Kong's. This gap will continue to widen, driven largely by Shenzhen's high-tech manufacturing industry, exports - nearly a fifth of all China's - its fast-expanding financial sector, as well as its spending on R&D which amounts to 6 per cent of gross domestic product. But Hong Kong has long struggled to find new engines of growth. Its once-dominant trade and logistics sector has been in relative decline since the mid-2000s. Back then, riding on the back of China's entry into the World Trade Organization, trade and logistics accounted for just under 30 per cent of the economy, employing nearly 800,000 people. Today, trade and logistics make up less than a fifth of the economy and employs only 674,000 people. While the government likes to talk up the potential offered by technology and innovation, with R&D spending hovering at around 0.75 per cent of GDP, it is just not that important, Mr Cartledge pointed out in his commentary. The one exception to the gloom is financial services. Figures released last month show that in 2019, despite the protests and US-China trade war, the sector expanded 8 per cent to displace trade and logistics as the single biggest contributor to Hong Kong's GDP, now accounting for more than a fifth of output. Yet an economy over-reliant on finance is bad for society as a whole. The sector only employs 7 per cent of the workforce, meaning the wealth it generates is concentrated in the hands of a relatively small number of people. That both further exacerbates Hong Kong's entrenched inequality, a fifth of the population lives below the official poverty line and contributes to the asset inflation which has kept its property prices among the world's highest for years and long been a major disincentive to entrepreneurs thinking of launching new businesses. The national security law, though claimed by the government to have brought stability back to Hong Kong, probably will not help. Though there does not appear to be any major exodus of businesses, some are quietly leaving or relocating parts of their operations, with the ease with which officials can now demand access to data protection one of their biggest concerns. With Beijing and the Hong Kong government maintaining their efforts to eliminate the pro-democracy opposition as any kind of meaningful force, the law will make it harder to attract companies, particularly Western ones, to set up in Hong Kong. In theory, the Greater Bay Area initiative should help with its promise of integrating Hong Kong, Macau and nine cities in Guangdong into a seamless economic unit. Yet, particularly since the protests of 2019, the scheme's main goal has switched to maintaining a high rate of growth for the key Chinese cities taking part, Shenzhen above all. As a result, Hong Kong's role is becoming mainly supportive, with its own further development secondary. With bringing Hong Kong into line with Beijing's political expectations now her main task, there is no doubt that Chief Executive Carrie Lam will go down in history as the leader who took an axe to the city's freedoms. But what is also looking likely is that she will be the figure who oversaw its relegation to second-tier economic status, comments Mr Cartledge.    

Major Chinese container ports volume up 10.8% in late March

PostTime:2021-04-09 08:12:34 View:379

Container volume at eight major Chinese ports increased 10.8% year-on-year in late March. Katherine Si | Apr 08, 2021 According to the statistics released by China Ports and Harbors Association, export container volume increased 8.7% while the domestic volume increased 18% in late March. Among which, the port of Ningbo-Zhoushan and Shenzhen posted a growth rate of over 30%. Cargo throughput at major coastal hub ports increased 8.6% year-on-year while the international trade cargo throughput increased 3.8%. Related: China port container volumes up 37.9% in Feb a year on from lockdown Crude oil shipments at major coastal ports slightly increased 4.3% year-on-year. The port of Yantai posted a growth rate of over 60% and the port of Tianjin reported a growth rate of over 30%. Port inventory increased 23.1% year-on-year. Metal ore shipments at major Chinese ports declined 8.6% while the port inventory increased 6.4%. Cargo throughput and container volume at the three major Yangtze river ports, Nanjing, Wuhan and Chongqing, increased 58.1% and 47.6% year-on-year respectively. In March, major Chinese coastal hub ports’ cargo throughput increased 10.9% comparing with the same period of last year. Container volume at eight major ports increased 14.5%.

Yangzijiang to resume operations at Jiangsu Yangzi Changbo shipyard

PostTime:2021-04-08 08:37:54 View:662

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding is to resume operations at its Jiangsu Yangzi Changbo Shipbuilding this year to expand its shipbuilding capacity. Katherine Si | Apr 07, 2021 Operations for Jiangsu Yangzi Changbo Shipbuilding were halted in 2012 due to lower order flows in the previous years, and construction work from the facility was consolidated at the group’s other three major yards to improve operational efficiency. Year to date in 2021, Yangzijiang has secured orders for 60 vessels worth about $3bn, the largest orderbook recorded in the past decade. To increase capacity, Yangzijiang will resume operations for Jiangsu Yangzi Changbo Shipbuilding by mid-2021. Related: Yangzijiang Shipbuilding secures $3bn in newbuildings year-to-date Yangzijiang is also planning to expand its market share in the LNG carrier segment following the establishment of a new joint venture, Jiangsu Run Yuan Energy Co., in 2021. As well as further expand its capacity into more complex and technically-challenging vessels via the joint venture Yangzi-Mitsui Shipbuilding.  

Chinese container ports Feb volumes surge 60% one year on from Covid lockdown

PostTime:2021-03-04 08:22:55 View:466

During the period 1 - 20 February container volume at eight major Chinese ports surged 60.7% a year on from the world’s first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 when China took an extended shutdown following the Lunar New Year. Katherine Si | Mar 03, 2021 The figures released by the China Ports and Harbors Association show a huge recovery, underscoring the bounce back in both production and demand for exports. The container volume at eight major Chinese ports increased 73% in early February and 48% in mid-February. Export container volume increased 65.5% while the domestic container volume increased 43%. Related: Container volume at eight major Chinese ports soars 20.5% in late January The growth rate of Shenzhen port exceeded 100% while the port of Shanghai posted nearly 90% growth rate on container volume. Cargo throughput at major coastal Chinese ports increased 24.2% year-on-year while the international trade cargo volume increased 22.7%. Crude oil shipments at major coastal ports increased 22.2% year-on-year, among which the port of Dalian, Rizhao and Yantai posted a growth rate of over 30%. Metal ore shipments at major Chinese ports increased 21.6% year-on-year, among which the port of Ningbo-Zhoushan and Rizhao posted over 30% growth rate. Ports along the Yangtze river maintained stable operation during early and middle February. Cargo throughput at three major Yangtze river ports, Nanjing, Wuhan and Chongqing increased 30.7% while the container volume sharply increased 94% year-on-year.

Cosco Shipping Ports acquires container terminal assets from Tianjin port

PostTime:2021-03-03 08:41:37 View:368

Cosco Shipping Ports (CSP) has acquired a 34.99% equity interest in Tianjin Port Container Terminal Company from China’s north port operator Tianjin Port. Katherine Si | Mar 02, 2021 Cosco Shipping Ports (Tianjin), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cosco Shipping Ports, entered into the equity transfer agreement with Tianjin Port Holdings to acquire an additional 34.99% equity interest Tianjin Port Container Terminal (TCT). Located in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Economic Circle, TCT enjoys favorable geographical advantage and is highly competitive in the Bohai Rim area. Related: New container line service connecting Tianjin Port to Southeast Asia CSP said that the acquisition was in line with the company’s strategic planning, and it will further enhance the group’s synergy with the Ocean Alliance and continue to strengthen the group’s leading position in the Greater China region. Upon the completion of the transaction, Cosco Shipping Ports (Tianjin) will hold a 45% equity interest in TCT, and TCT will become a subsidiary of the company.

Container volumes at major Chinese port up 3.3% in mid-January

PostTime:2021-02-01 10:27:19 View:380

Container volume at eight major Chinese ports increased 3.3% year-on-year in mid-January, according to statistics released by China Ports and Harbors Association. Katherine Si | Jan 29, 2021 The domestic trade volume increased 17.5% year-on-year, among which the port of Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan and Xiamen all posted a growth rate of over 20%. However, the export container volume declined 0.4%. Cargo throughput at major coastal Chinese ports increased 0.9% year-on-year while the foreign trade cargo volume increased 2.5%. Related: China Merchants Port handles record high container volume in 2020 Crude oil shipments at major coastal ports slightly increased 1.6% year-on-year, among which the port of Rizhao and Guangzhou posted a growth rate of over 20%. Metal ore shipments at major Chinese ports increased 10.1% year-on-year, among which the port of Tianjin and Rizhao posted over 10% growth rate. The port inventory declined 4.2%. As the Chinese Spring Festival neared, cargo demands from Yangtze river region has been dropping. The cargo throughput at three major Yangtze river ports, Nanjing, Wuhan and Chongqing declined 0.2% and the container volume also dropped 1.4% year-on-year.

Shanghai port retains crown as the world’s busiest container port in 2020

PostTime:2021-01-07 08:39:08 View:660

Shanghai port posted a new record container volume of 43.5m teu in 2020, retaining the title of the world’s busiest container port for the 11th year in a row. Katherine Si | Jan 06, 2021 The 43.5m teu volume in 2020 represents a small increase on Shanghai Port’s 2019 total container throughput of 43.3m teu. Despite the continued Covid-19 outbreak and unstable international trading,  Shanghai port maintained a strong performance in the past year. In July and October 2020, the port reported a container handling volume of 3.9m teu and 4.2m teu, representing a single month high; Yangshan port area hit a historical record and posted a container throughtput of 20m teu last year. Related: Shanghai port container volume hits record high in October The container volume for international cargo transhipment at Shanghai port was over 5.3m teu last year, an increase of 14% year-on-year. The inland container trading volume was more than 6m teu, an increase of 15% year-on-year, hitting a record high. Shanghai port will further develop the port eco-system to support its international shipping hub construction, accelerate the cooperation with Yangtze river delta and improve the overall competitiveness and influence in the coming days, said Gu Jinshan, chairman of Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG).

Ningbo joins Singapore, Shanghai as a 28-million TEU port

PostTime:2020-12-24 08:39:48 View:581

THE Port of Ningbo Zhoushan saw its annual container throughput surpass 28 million TEU for the first time, reports Xinhua. That makes the port one of just three in the world to have exceeded an annual container throughput of 28 million TEU. Only Singapore and Shanghai have accomplished this, according to Ningbo Zhoushan Port Company Limited. By the end of November, the Port of Ningbo Zhoushan had a total of 257 ship routes, hitting a record high. The sea-rail transport service links the port by railway with parts of China and other countries. The port currently has 17 railway routes linking cities in 15 provincial-level regions across China. Zhejiang's foreign trade grew rapidly this year, which partly contributed to the increase in the port's container throughput, said He Jie from Ningbo Zhoushan Port Company Limited. In the first 11 months of this year, Zhejiang's imports and exports rose 10.3 per cent year on year to CNY3.06 trillion (US$467 billion), customs data shows. The Port of Ningbo Zhoushan saw cargo throughput exceed 1.1 billion tonnes in 2019, ranking first in the world for 11 consecutive years, according to official statistics.

ONE's reefer imports suspension list extends to Xiamen port

PostTime:2020-12-15 08:17:21 View:384

JAPAN's Singapore-headquartered Ocean Network Express (ONE) has stopped accepting bookings for reefer imports to Xiamen in China due to the congestion in the ports caused by the slowdown in the reefer container pick-up activities. The carrier has halted bookings of all reefer commodities bound for and/or transshipping via Xiamen from December 9 due to stricter customs inspections and disinfection requirements for reefer commodities which have been implemented in a number of Chinese ports. ONE has previously announced the suspension of cargo acceptance in the Port of Huangpu, located in China's southern Guangdong province as well as a number of other southern Chinese ports. The company noted in its announcement that for containers in transit, it suggests customers consider a change of destination to other alternative ports, especially for time-sensitive cargoes such as fresh, chilled commodities. For reefer boxes which are already in transit to Xiamen and/or being held at the transshipment port for further connection to Xiamen, ONE said that all related costs will be on consignee's account and payable upon delivery, reports London's Container News. "We are closely monitoring the situation," added the shipping company.