China's cargo throughput likely to fall 1.9 pct in April

BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Cargo throughput at main ports across China was estimated to reach 500 million tonnes in April, down 1.9 percent from a year earlier, a primary calculation conducted by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) showed on Wednesday.

Daily throughput was expected to be 3.2 percentage points higher when compared with March.

Cargo throughput for domestic trade will likely stand at 340 million tonnes in April, up 0.1 percent compared with the same period last year, the first year-on-year growth in 2009, according to the MOT.

The ministry attributed the growth to government measures to spur domestic demand since late 2008, such as the 4-trillion yuan (about 586 billion U.S. dollars) stimulus package and support plans for key industries.

However, cargo throughput for foreign trade would fall nearly 6percent year on year in April to 160 million tonnes due to a shrinking international market, the MOT said.

Estimation showed sea borne container throughput at main ports in China would be 9.2 million containers, presenting a 13.4 percent drop from a year earlier.

The MOT measures business at sea ports with annual cargo throughput at no fewer than 15 million tonnes in 2002 as well as inland ports with annual cargo throughput above 10 million tonnes in 2002 and release the results on a monthly base.