SIMIC

Total container throughput in the first half was up 8.8 per cent to 62,710,707 TEU year on year, reported the state-owned Cosco organisation.

"As the global economy started to show signs of recovery, imports and exports of China recorded strong performance for the first half of 2021 and trade and economic activities are expected to further improve, driving shipping industry's prosperity upward," said the company statement accompanying the results.

"As the global economy has started to show signs of recovery, imports and exports of China recorded strong performance for the first half of 2021 and trade and economic activities are expected to further improve, driving shipping industry's prosperity into an upward cycle," said the press release.

"Leveraging on the leading position in the global ports operator industry, the company actively grasped development opportunities to enhance business scale and improve in both earnings and quality through its latest strategy of the two-wheel drive of 'building global terminal network' and 'lean operations'," it said.

"We are committed to pursuing our total throughput growth in 2021 to outpace our peers. The group will be able to leverage on its ample cash to maintain a stable financial position and facilitate sustainable development, which will also support its dividend policy in 2021." said the press release.