Major China coal port set for record deliveries

[BEIJING] Qinhuangdao, home to China's largest coal port that's been called an indicator of Asia's biggest economy, is set for record commodity deliveries over the next three years as urbanisation boosts demand for the fuel.

Shipments of mainly coal and ores via the port, also a popular resort where the late Chairman Mao Zedong holidayed, may rise by 20 million to 30 million tonnes by 2017, Xing Luzhen, the chairman of Qinhuangdao Port Co, said on Aug 14. Supplies hit a record high of 279 million tonnes in 2011.

Power demand in China, the world's largest energy consumer, is accelerating as a growing rural population uses more household appliances and as urban residents buy more electric cars, according to Mr Xing. The country depends on coal for 66 per cent of its energy, data from the National Energy Administration show.