SIMIC

Dalian, located in northeast Liaoning province, saw its container throughput fall by 3.7 million TEU, blamed on hinterland shifts, weakening GDP, reefer shipments dropping off and diversion to nearby Yingkou.

Earlier this month Dalian port announced a decision to change its name to Liaoning Port Company as part of its restructuring process. China Merchants Group took control of Liaoning Port Group in 2019 and started the consolidation of the port assets in the province.

As part of the consolidation process, Dalian is in the process of absorbing another listed port operator, Yingkou port. Last year, Liaoning Port Group also took over Dandong port, previously a private port, after the port went bankrupt.

In contrast to Dalian, the Port of Beibuwan, which has actively been fostering ties with Southeast Asia, stood out as China's fastest growing box port. The port, located in Guangxi province, saw container volumes climb 32.2 per cent to finish on 5.05 million TEU.