Zhoushan sees robust growth in cargo throughput from Jan-May

Ningbo Zhoushan Port, the world's largest port by throughput volume, handled 104.15 million metrics tons of cargo in May, representing a yearly uptick of 3.6 percent, official data from the Ministry of Transport show.

In the first five months of this year, the port's cargo throughput edged up 0.4 percent year-on-year to 450.22 million metric tons.

The port areas in Zhoushan were essential in helping Ningbo Zhoushan Port reverse the downturn primarily spawned by the COVID-19 epidemic.

The cargo throughput in the city over the five-month period totaled 220 million metric tons, an increase of 6.53 percent year-on-year, according to the Zhoushan municipal port navigation and administration bureau.

The city has reported growth in cargo throughput for five consecutive months this year to date.

The sustained growth momentum in the first five months was mainly due to the trading of bulk commodities in Zhoushan such as oil, natural gas, coal and grain, insiders said.

Starting in April, the city has also seen positive growth in iron ore throughput, as the demand for the commodity rises from steel mills along the Yangtze River.

In the first five months, Zhoushan ports handled 72.9562 million tons of iron ore, representing a year-on-year growth of 2.67 percent. Over the same period, the throughput of Shulanghu port alone was 28.43 million tons, 28.8 percent more than the same period last year.