Cargo throughput on the Yangtze trunkline fell by 11.8 per cent to 78m tons in March 2009, while container throughput decreased by 24 per cent to 450,000 teu. Throughput of foreign trade-related cargo fell 17.6 per cent to 9m tons.

Looking at the first quarter as a whole, the fall was not as steep due to a strong performance in January. Cargo throughput fell by 6.2 per cent year-on-year in the first three months to 225m tons, while container throughput fell by 11.4 per cent to 1.34m teu. Throughput for foreign trade-related cargo decreased by 8.8 per cent to 27.24m tons. Officials predict that the falling trend will continue for another two to three months before the effect of increased government spending will be reflected in throughput figures.