Shipping snarl-up at Chinese ports ahead of Chinese New Year

Singapore

A HUGE traffic jam of hundreds of ships carrying coal and iron ore into China has built up outside key ports such as Tianjin and Caofeidian, just as winter demand hits its peak ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday later this month.

Major northern Chinese ports have suspended loading of ships several times since Dec 20 due to poor visibility largely caused by smog that has enveloped large parts of northern China at various times in recent weeks.