Truckers in south China who are seeking higher earnings reportedly blocked a main road leading to terminals in western Shenzhen on 3 June, according to Journal of Commerce. They threatened to take their protest to larger ports if they were unable to charge higher rates.

Patrick Ahern, vice president-international at National Retail Systems, was reported as saying that his company’s shipments were delayed for a day, although the situation could worsen if the protests spread to larger terminals in the east of the city such as Yantian.

While some of National Retail Systems’ shipments were caught up in the truck blockade, the company was able to divert a portion to barge transportation on the Pearl River.

Thursday’s blockade affected the western Shenzhen terminals of Chiwan and Shekou, which are less busy than those in the eastern part of the region.

The drivers who blocked the road in western Shenzhen indicated they could no longer earn a living under existing harbour trucking rates. Some protestors threw bricks at trucks, Mr Ahern added.