A strike by truck drivers that disrupted shipments at Shanghai port has petered out after the municipal government took steps to defuse the situation.

Driver discontent mounted over rising fuel prices, low salaries and the imposition of irregular fees and fines by the authorities.

Over the weekend of 23-24 April, the city government ordered container shipping centres to cancel or cut fees so as to appease the independent contractors who transport goods to and from the city’s various terminals. Many drivers who work as company employees on fixed wages did not join the protest.

Despite the government move and a return to normal conditions on 25 April, several drivers said they would continue to struggle to make a decent living in the fiercely competitive trucking sector.

The Chinese government announced in early April that it would raise retail petrol and diesel prices by 5-5.5 per cent to record highs.