Due to a slowdown in US trade lanes, Shenzhen port container throughput growth experienced a slower first quarter year on year, Logistics Week reported.
In the first quarter, the port's container throughput cumulated to 4.9 million TEU, up only 8.51 per cent year on year. Overall throughput tonnage increased 12 per cent to 50.6 million tonnes. Foreign trade cargo increased 14.4 per cent to 38.6 million tonnes.
Yantian port area was the most deeply affected by the trade slowdown on US lines among Shenzhen's port areas. Its box throughput fell 5.4 per cent to 2 million TEU during the first quarter. US lines take up 45.2 per cent of all lines that Yantian is operating.
Since the last quarter of 2007, US economic downturn, fuel price hike and decrease of trade volume has forced quite a few carriers to reduce their capacity or share slots on the US lines.
But the impact on the Shenzhen western port areas, which mainly operates European and short-sea shipping lines and where US lines only take up 15.5 per cent, is much lighter. Chiwan's first quarter throughput was 1.48 million TEU. Shekou's box volume surged 42.4 per cent to 1.4 million TEU.
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