Taicang faces life without TCC as it reports first quarter volume up 30pc

TAICANG, a once obscure Yangtze River port 60 kilometres upstream from Shanghai, posted a first quarter volume increase of 30 per cent year on year to 522,000 TEU, but now it must face life without The Containership Company's (TCC) Los Angeles shuttle which was recently suspended.


In March, the port handled 188,000 TEU, up 15.8 per cent year on year, Xinhua reports.


Taicang, was the China base for the ill-fated start-up TCC, but the Norwegian carrier did not commence operations until April 2010 and suspended service in March. US Customs said its April-to-March eastbound volume was 77,000 TEU, and based on an industry average, its westbound flow is estimated at 43,000 TEU, giving a total of 120,000 TEU.


Taicang continues to offer 86 domestic and international shipping services. Continuous improvement of facilities and lower cost have attracted many shippers to ship their cargo via the port, said the report.


Enhanced customs clearance service also has contributed to the growth of throughput, said Xinhua. There are currently 16 carriers including Cosco, "K" Line, Hanjin, Yang Ming and Maersk operating from the port.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)