China’s container ports handled a record 12.4 million teu last month, which was 21.9% higher than the volumes in May 2009 and 16.6% higher than the same month in 2008. Paris-based analyst AXS Alphaliner said Ningbo, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Xiamen and Dalian all posted their highest-ever monthly liftings on record.

The rise exceeded analysts’ forecasts by a significant margin. Six out of the top-10 Chinese ports posted record volumes, led by Ningbo which showed the highest growth. The port recorded a 52% increase to 1.2 million teu.

The authorities said the substantial growth was due to the continued recovery of key export markets, particularly Europe and North America. Asian exports recorded strong growth of 61%. On a rolling 12-month basis, overall cargo throughput was up by 14.4% to 3.8 million tonnes.

But despite the strong performance, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce has warned that the Eurozone crisis would take its toll on Chinese exports to Europe in the coming months. “It typically takes Chinese companies about two months to fulfill orders,” Alphaliner said. “May’s shipments reflected orders booked before Europe’s debt crisis deepened. While June figures are likely to remain strong, export growth is expected to slow from July onwards.

Source: IFW