Narrower trade glut seen on low exports

PostTime:2012-08-13 11:19:09 View:2181

CHINA'S trade surplus this year may be lower than last year's because exports are likely to be weak in the following months, analysts said, after the country reported the slowest growth in trade in six months in July. "Given the grim prospects for global economic recovery, China's exports may stay low, if not contract, in the months to come," said the Bank of Communications in a report. BoCom forecast that China's total trade surplus at around US$150 billion this year, slightly down from the US$155.1 billion in 2011. In the first seven months, China's trade surplus rose 23.4 percent annually to US$94.1 billion. "China's monthly trade surplus will continue to narrow," BoCom said. Last month, China had a trade surplus of US$25.1 billion, down from June's US$31.7 billion, as its exports edged up 1 percent from a year earlier in July, weakening sharply from the 11.3 percent rise in June. "The export slowdown is likely to be worrisome for policymakers as exports still account for one-third of China's economic output," said Chang Jian, a Barclays economist. "Soft exports may also lead to a weaker yuan, at least in the short term." Last week Barclays said it would lower its projection of China's gross domestic product growth in 2012 to 7.9 percent from a previous estimate of 8.1 percent. Chang said the government may boost its support for more investments to stabilize growth, loosen monetary policy and increase export tax rebates.  

Ten 'dry ports' of Tianjin see 11pc container volume growth

PostTime:2012-08-10 09:21:54 View:2267

During the first half, Tianjin's 10 "dry ports" posted a 10.9 per cent year-on-year volume increase to 82,500 TEU, adding to the steady growth of the Port Tianjin, Xinhua reports. "Dry ports" are facilities set up by coastal ports in the hinterland regions and offers convenience in customs clearance and intermodal transport, which attracts more cargo. So far, Tianjin has set up 22 dry ports in the hinterland cities and three regional marketing centres in Yinchuan, Xian and Baotou to manage these facilities. Tianjin port's Inner Mongolia marketing centre in Baotou started operation in the first half of year. The port plans to have another four dry ports commence operation this year to raise the number of dry ports to 14. Meanwhile, the port is also casting eyes on other regions with logistics demand and will select suitable ones to join its dry port network. Tianjin customs is also studying on the specific operation procedures of the pilot policy of port of origin tax rebate which the Chinese government offers to Tianjin, and is considering to cooperate with more developed dry ports on the policy.

Taiwan box volume hits 27-year high despite volatile world economy

PostTime:2012-08-10 09:15:27 View:2284

TAIWAN's international ports handled a total of 6.81 million TEU, representing an increase of 2.9 per cent compared to the same period last year, reaching a new high since 1985 despite volatile global economies, reports China Economic News Service. Kaohsiung Harbour handled 790,000 TEU or 69.7 per cent of the total in June to lead its peers, according to the statistics from the Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC). But throughput was down 0.9 per cent year on year, followed by Keelung Port's throughput of 130,000 TEU which was down 12.6 per cent compared to June 2011 mainly impacted by routing schedules of shippers. However, the cargo load at Taichung has been on the increase to reach 120,000 TEU in June, a hike of 2.4 per cent compared to the same month last year. Taipei Harbour handled 90,000 TEU, representing a sizable rise of 43.7 per cent year on year. Cross-strait direct shipping saw box throughput reaching 180,000 TEU in June, up 8.7 per cent year on year. Taiwan-China container volume in the first half of the year reached 104,000 TEU, an increase of 9.3 per cent over the same six-month period last year to hit a new high since the opening of such direct link in December 2008.

Port of Xiamen's first half throughput rises 12pc

PostTime:2012-08-09 09:32:52 View:2171

Southeast China's Xiamen port posted a 12 per cent first half growth in throughput to 3.21 million TEU, reports Xinhua. The port expects to increase productivity with 16 new berths and reach a cargo throughput of over 20 million tonnes with a goal to hit an annual throughput of 400 million tonnes. The port had 17 international cruise ships call at and transported 25,968 passengers, coupled with a new night cruise service from Xiamen to nearby Jinmen, previously known as Quemoy.

Taiwan port throughput hits 27-year high

PostTime:2012-08-09 09:14:54 View:2187

Despite volatile global economies, Taiwan's cargo load at international harbours in the first half of the year amounted to 6.81 million TEUs, with a rise of 2.9 percent year-on-year for a new high since 1985, according to the statistics compiled by the Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC). Kaohsiung Harbor hit 790,000 TEUs or 69.7 percent to lead its peers in June, but down 0.9 percent year-on-year, followed by 130,000 TEUs at Keelung Harbor, down 12.6 percent and mainly impacted by routing schedules of shippers, resulting in Kaohsiung and Keelung ports posting new lows in these three years, reported Taiwan Economic News. But the cargo load at Taichung Harbor kept increasing to 120,000 TEUs in June, up 2.4 percent year-on-year to almost the level of Keelung Harbor, the main harbor in Taiwan, with Taipei Harbor reaching 90,000 TEUs with a sizable rise of 43.7 percent year-on-year. The cargo load at harbors in Taiwan totalled 113,000 TEUs to maintain positive growth of 0.4 percent in June. Cargo load due to cross-strait direct shipping totalled 180,000 TEUs in June in Taiwan, up 8.7 percent year-on-year to account for 15.7 percent of overall cargo load on the island, with Taiwan-China container volume in the first half of the year hitting 104,000 TEUs, up 9.3 percent year-on-year

Shanghai container throughput slips

PostTime:2012-08-09 09:04:05 View:2611

Shanghai Port, the world's busiest container port, saw its container volume in July fall 1.8 percent from a year earlier, a rare contraction in activity, data issued by the port's operator showed, reported Reuters. Container throughput reached 2.84 million TEUs, down from 2.77 million in June. The decline in throughput in July could bode ill for China's trade in July.  

Port of Xiamen's first half throughput rises 12pc to 3.21 million TEU

PostTime:2012-08-07 09:24:53 View:2592

SOUTHEAST China's Xiamen port posted a 12 per cent first half growth in throughput to 3.21 million TEU, reports Xinhua. The port expects to increase productivity with 16 new berths and reach a cargo throughput of over 20 million tonnes with a goal to hit an annual throughput of 400 million tonnes. The port had 17 international cruise ships call at and transported 25,968 passengers, coupled with a new night cruise service from Xiamen to nearby Jinmen, previously known as Quemoy.

Hebei's port container throughput expected to hit 800,000 TEU in 2012

PostTime:2012-08-02 10:29:54 View:2179

NORTHERN Hebei province is working to attain a container throughput of 800,000 TEU with hopes to reach a million TEU by the end of this year for its provincial ports, Xinhua reports. To meet its target, the province will roll out a toll fee reduction and exemption scheme for container trucks and subsidies for container. Besides, it will also give more support to containerising traditional bulk cargo. Hebei is also speeding up the construction of container shipping facilities and make sure its No 22 berth's bulk-to-container conversion project be completed and No 26, No 27 container berths start construction by the end of the year. Ports in Hebei province inaugurated three new container shipping lines in July respectively from Jingtang port to Jinzhou port, from Jingtang port to Huanghua port and from Huanghua port to Tianjin port, bringing the province's the total of domestic and foreign trade shipping lines to 28, Xinhua reports. In August, there are still three other container shipping lanes to be launched in Hebei, helping shippers to further lower logistics cost.

Hunan provincial first half cargo rises 4pc to 81 million tonnes

PostTime:2012-08-01 10:29:36 View:2171

HUNAN province recorded a river cargo traffic of 81.1 million tonnes from January to June, 4.06 per cent more than a year ago, and an eight per cent higher turnover of 21.54 billion tonnes per kilometre, Xinhua reports. In the same period, provincial ports' container throughput surged 43.9 per cent to 142,900 TEU, while overall tonnage grew three per cent to 89.88 million tonnes. The province attributed the growth to two reason. One was the robust increase of container at the Yueyang Chenglingji port area. The port area recorded a foreign trade cargo throughput of 96,182 TEU, up 30 per cent year on year. Another reason was the favourable weather conditions and effective maintenance of the navigational channels. Chenglingji port area's substantial growth was brought by the launch of a direct foreign trade shipping lane to Hong Kong and Macau in March.

Shanghai exports to EU down 7.9pc but city's Euro imports up 5.5pc

PostTime:2012-08-01 10:23:24 View:2213

BEING an important gateway for Sino-European trade, Shanghai recorded a year-on-year decline of 7.9 per cent in the export to Europe Union (EU) in the first half of this year, but EU imports jumped 5.5 per cent, Xinhua reports. Shanghai Customs officer Wang Chengming said import rise is significant to the EU, particularly in the context of the debt crisis. The EU keeps rolling out trade-protection measures against China, widening the imbalance of the Sino-European bilateral trade, and this might result in continuous growth of imports from EU. Shanghai Customs statistics show, in the first quarter, the value of China's imports from EU increased 3.3 per cent to US$104.76 billion. Thirty-four per cent was contributed by Shanghai. Shanghai imports grew 2.1 per cent, and those from EU grew 5.5 per cent year on year. In comparison, its imports from the US fell 2.6 per cent. In this period, Shanghai's automotive imports from EU grew 23.6 per cent to $5.76 billion, up 23.6 per cent, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the city's vehicular import total. Pharmaceutical imports rose 34.4 per cent to $1.97 billion. Agricultural imports increased 24.9 per cent to $1.27 billion. Aircraft imports soared 215 per cent to $1.17 billion. Shanghai also imported 50,000 tonnes of dairy products from the EU, 83.1 per cent more year on year, mostly from Poland, Spain, Austria, Greece, Netherlands, Germany, France Danmark and Belgium. Many of these countries are deeply troubled by Euro-debt crisis. Evgenios Kalpyris, Consul General of Greece in Shanghai said the growth of Shanghai's European imports is not coincidence or a gift, but the result of China's opening-up policies and mutual political trust. On the other hand, affected by EU's trade protection measures, China's exports from EU dropped 0.8 per cent to $163.1 billion. Shanghai's export to EU even fell 7.9 per cent. Export to Germany fell 1.6 per cent, to Italy dived 30 per cent, to France slid 27.3 per cent, to Spain dropped 3.3 per cent.

Fujian's annual container volume expected to reach 10.5 million TEU

PostTime:2012-08-01 10:21:55 View:938

FUJIAN's Province Transportation Department expects to see provincial port container volume reach 10.5 million TEU and overall tonnage reach 400 million tonnes in 2012, Xinhua reports. Statistics shows, during the first half of year, Fujian sea ports handled 4.87 million TEU, up 10.3 per cent year on year. Their throughput tonnage increased 8.5 per cent to 193 million tonnes. With completion of a number of harbour-front industry projects and construction projects of berths, Xiamen, the province's largest port, is gathering speed in development towards the status of southeast China's shipping hub. Commencement of operations at four "dry-ports" in the hinterland will also bring fuel to the throughput growth in Fujian.

Pearl River Delta's Humen first half box volume up 2,795pc to 362,000 TEU

PostTime:2012-07-19 11:07:08 View:967

GUANGDONG province river port Humen has enjoyed rapid growth since this year, posting 2,795 per cent increase in its year on year box volume to 362,000 TEU in the first six months after using its four container berths, according to Xinhua's report. Other than saying Humen has attracted investments of CNY27.53 billion (US$4.32 billion) on 27 projects this year, China's official news agency Xinhua gave no reason for the sudden upsurge. This is a local port in one section of conurbation that extends up the Pearl River through Dongguan into the provincial capital of Guangzhou. In the same period, the port's bulk terminal handled 21.83 million tonnes, more than double the volume handled in the first half of 2011. Petrochemical terminal's throughput increased 30.7 per cent to 3.2 million tonnes, taking up one fifth of Guangdong's total. Meanwhile, Dongguan Bonded Logistics Centre, located at Humen port, handled 32,166 batches of trade cargo, up 296 per cent year on year. Value of this cargo surged 357 per cent to $1.69 billion.