Tianjin sees continued gains in 2009 despite global downturn

Tianjin port operators say total cargo volume is expected to rise 7.3 per cent this year to 380 million tons against last year's throughput increase of 15 per cent to 354 million tons, reports Bloomberg News.

That means 2009 is expected to take away some, but not all of 2008's gain when container volume increased 20 per cent last year to 8.5 million TEU, according to figures released by the Tianjin Port Group. Tianjin Port Group is the parent of Shanghai-listed Tianjin Port Co.

Tianjin sales this year's cargo value may total CYN13 billion (US$1.9 billion), according to a company statement, which did not provide last year's figure.

Tianjin, northern China's busiest port, plans to handle 9.5 million TEU in 2009, according to a statement on its website.

Traffic growth in Tianjin and Shanghai, China's busiest harbour, has slowed as the downturn in the US and Europe reduce consumer demand, resulting in the first drop in China's exports in seven years.

Source: http://www.schednet.com