Jiangsu container ports see robust growth in March

2020-04-20 14:30:00

Container volumes handled at ports in Jiangsu Province rose 51 percent in March than one month ago, reaching the same level in last year, as China has made steady progress in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 outbreak.

A container ship departs from Taicang Port on April 14. [Photo/CFP]

Following the disruption of the pandemic, industry insiders estimate that enterprises are resuming work and operation to the normal level, which means continuous growth of container volumes at ports in the coastal province.

Xu Yijian, general manager of Taicang Port Zhenghe Xinggang Container Terminals, said, as companies get back on track and shipping capacity rebounds along the Yangtze River, the backlog of cargo will soon be loosened in the second quarter of the year. Xu also said the consumption demand will remerge and boost the growth of domestic trade to be stable.

Tang Wen, head of the Department of Business and Operations at Jiangsu Port Group, also shared the optimism. Tang said economic recovery will facilitate a strong domestic market and increase container volumes.

An official of the Jiangsu Department of Transportation said that the province will focus on the multimodal transport, promote coordinate efforts, enhance the port operation and management, and try to export Jiangsu goods through the province’s own ports.