Cargo throughput at main ports across China was estimated to reach 500 million tonnes in April, down 1.9 percent from a year earlier.

Daily throughput was expected to be 3.2 percentage points higher when compared with March.

Cargo throughput for domestic trade will likely stand at 340 million tonnes in April, up 0.1 percent compared with the same period last year, the first year-on-year growth in 2009.

The ministry attributed the growth to government measures to spur domestic demand since late 2008, such as the 4-trillion yuan (about 586 billion U.S. dollars) stimulus package and support plans for key industries.

However, cargo throughput for foreign trade would fall nearly 6 percent year on year in April to 160 million tonnes due to a shrinking international market, the MOT said.

Estimation showed seaborne container throughput at main ports in China would be 9.2 million containers, presenting a 13.4 percent drop from a year earlier.

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