An investigation by China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has found various anti-trust violations at the country’s seaports.
As a result, Shanghai, Tianjin Port, Ningbo Zhoushan and Qingdao port groups have been ordered to cut the container handling fees from 2018 by 10-20%.
NRDC said in a statement that Tangshan, Huanghua, Weihai, Rizha and Lianyungang ports were among the 39 ports told to rectify the irregularities, which included charging excessive cargo handling fees for export cargo.
The two-month investigation – launched in April this year – found that these practices hindered the development of the ports, increased the costs of the real economy and restricted market competition.
The NDRC said that it planned to monitor and verify the implementation of self-rectification measures proposed by the ports.