China's Freight and Port Traffic Post Moderate Growth in First Seven Months

China's commercial freight volume expanded 2.8 percent year-on-year to 32.97 billion tonnes in the first seven months of the year, supported by steady domestic logistics and international trade. Official data released by the Ministry of Transport shows port cargo throughput rose 1.3 percent to 10.56 billion tonnes, led by a 3.6 percent increase in foreign trade volume. Chinese coastal and river ports also accelerated the rollout of direct shipping routes to Africa, Latin America, and South Asia, while fixed-asset investment in transport infrastructure exceeded 1.81 trillion yuan.

The steady growth in freight volume and foreign trade port throughput highlights the underlying resilience of China's supply chains amid shifting global trade dynamics. The expansion of specialized maritime routes to Africa and South America illustrates how Chinese industrial exports are diversifying toward emerging markets, particularly for machinery, vehicles, and construction equipment.

China's transportation sector recorded steady operational growth over the first seven months of the year, driven by resilient foreign trade throughput and continuous infrastructure investment, according to official data released by the Ministry of Transport. From January to July, national commercial freight volume reached 32.97 billion tonnes, representing a 2.8 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Highway freight accounted for the bulk of transport activity at 24.98 billion tonnes, up 2.9 percent year-on-year, while waterway freight expanded 3.0 percent to reach 4.93 billion tonnes. Nationwide port performance was anchored by foreign trade demand. Total port cargo throughput rose 1.3 percent year-on-year to 10.56 billion tonnes. While domestic trade cargo throughput recorded a modest 0.3 percent increase, foreign trade throughput advanced by 3.6 percent. In parallel, container throughput across Chinese ports rose 5.1 percent to 210 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). To accommodate evolving export destinations, Chinese port operators have expanded direct shipping links, particularly toward emerging markets. Yantai Port in Shandong province added four direct routes serving African destinations—including Algeria, Dakar in Senegal, Namibia, and Djibouti—handling over 6 million tonnes of cargo this year across more than 200 categories such as machinery, vehicles, and construction materials, marking a 66.1 percent year-on-year increase. Similarly, Nanjing Port introduced three new foreign trade shipping services connecting to major hubs in South America, South Asia, and North America to facilitate direct inland equipment exports. Capital expenditure in transportation infrastructure remained solid, with total fixed-asset investment reaching 1.8152 trillion yuan ($250 billion) during the seven-month period. Highways absorbed 1.2011 trillion yuan, while waterway projects accounted for 125.5 billion yuan. Key national undertakings, including the Three Gorges water transport new channel, the Duku Expressway in Xinjiang, and the Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport integrated transport hub, continued construction. Passenger mobility also maintained steady levels, with cross-regional passenger volume totaling 39.79 billion trips, an increase of 0.8 percent year-on-year, supported by holiday travel across highway and waterway networks.