Port congestion rebounded in the northern ports of China has increased again because of stricter lockdown measures. Many vessels are trying to find alternative ports restrictions in major cities in east China including Shanghai as restrictions are expected to continue into early May.
The manufacturing sector in mainland China has also been affected because of the lockdowns and labour shortage, so Chinese import and export growth has fallen since last year.
Mainland China is exporting less container cargo with lockdown measures, so freight rates for containers and small bulkers have been falling slighltly. High demand for exports in mainland China, and restricted container capacity was affecting general bulk cargo flow with de-containerized trends.