BEIJING: The container volume of eight major Chinese ports kept declining during the first 10 days of May. According to China Ports and Harbours Association, cargo throughput of the major Chinese coastal hub ports declined 5.6% during first ten-day period of May, while the cargo throughput of Yangtze river hub ports dropped 11.8%.

The container volume of eight major ports declined 7.3%, with half of the ports suffering an over 15% decline, especially serving the international trades.

The crude oil throughput of major coastal ports increased 6.1%, among which growth rate of Rizhao port and Yantai port exceeded 20% while Dalian port achieved over 40% growth. However, iron ore shipments volume declined 6.5%.

Ports along Yangtze river continue to face low cargo volumes. The three major Yangtze river ports, Nanjing, Wuhan and Chongqing posted a decline of 11.8% and 25.4% for cargo throughput and container volume.