Ports in China recorded container throughput growth in the first half of the year despite the impact of Covid-19 restrictions in some major port areas in the country, like Shanghai.

The Chinese Ministry of Transport said during the January-June period, the container handling volume at China's ports rose 3% year-on-year to 140 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), as reported by state media.

Cargo throughput at the country's ports reached 7.58 billion tonnes in the same period, down 0.8 percent year on year.

"The ministry attributed the slight decline to a decrease in imports of coal, crude oil, and iron ore, among other commodities," Xinhua said.

Shanghai posts "record" volumes in July

Separately, Chinese state media said Shanghai port registered a "record" throughput in July after lockdowns in the city were dropped earlier in June.

"Shanghai Port registered a throughput of over 4.3 million TEUs in July, a record high in the same period," Xinhua said, citing a report from the Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd.

From January to July, the port's total throughput achieved positive growth compared to the same period last year despite the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic.

The daily average throughput in July neared 140,000 TEUs, recovering to the pre-epidemic level, the report added.