Freight rates for shipping coal from northern China's Qinhuangdao port to the other Chinese ports of Zhangjiagang, Shanghai and Guangzhou in eastern and southern China were mixed in the week to Tuesday, putting an end to steady increases seen in recent weeks, port operator Qinhuangdao Port said Tuesday.
The freight rate from Qinhuangdao to Zhangjiagang in eastern China's Jiangsu province for 20,000-30,000 mt capacity vessels slipped Yuan 0.20/mt week on week to Yuan 52.10/mt ($7.54/mt), Qinhuangdao Port said.
The rate from Qinhuangdao to Shanghai in eastern China for vessels with a capacity of 40,000-50,000 mt dropped Yuan 0.40/mt to Yuan 47.50/mt.
However, the rate from Qinhuangdao to Guangzhou in southern China for 50,000-60,000 mt capacity vessels rose Yuan 1.60/mt week on week to Yuan 58.10/mt.
A rise in stocks at northern sea ports has eased tightness in southbound coal supplies and southern power plants are less anxious about making purchases, resulting in the let-up in rising coastal freight rates, the report said.
Coal stocks at Qinhuangdao port stood at 4.59 million mt on Tuesday, up from 4.33 million mt a week ago, port figures showed.
