In the January to October period of this year, the total cargo throughput of large and medium sized ports in China amounted to, up 6.7% YoY, as stated by He Jianzhong, spokesman for China’s Ministry of Transport.

In particular, in the first 10 months of the current year the foreign trade throughput at large and medium-sized ports in China totaled 2.51 billion tonne up 9.9% YoY while the domestic trade throughput of the ports reached 5.55 billion tonne increasing by 5.2% YoY basis.

Meanwhile, in the January to September period of the current year, total metal ore throughput of large and medium-sized ports in China was 1.12 billion tonne, up 7.3% YoY. In the given period, total iron ore imports at the ports in question reached 600 million tonne increasing by 11.9% YoY basis.

Mr He commented that “Since August this year, China’s iron ore imports have accelerated.” He added that, while iron ore inventory at major ports in China has witnessed a decline, iron ore inventory at Chinese ports still generally stands at high levels.