CHINA's shipping market has undergone a rebound in response to growing international trade, particularly in the container sector, from the first of the year, reports Xinhua.

Ports in China posted a 19 per cent growth in throughput to 3.18 billion tonnes in the first five months. The container freight volume increased 22.5 per cent to 56.3 million TEU.

Market expectations are optimistic, but worries about the Greek sovereign debt crisis, high unemployment rate in the west and a shipping capacity surplus persists, prompting experts to be cautious about risks ahead.

Shanghai Shipping Exchange data analyst Liu Zijia said container shipping services including those covering the Europe, North America and the Persian Gulf grew in June with ship utilisation to Europe at 95 per cent, while the peak season for the Mediterranean services came in ahead with some vessels hitting 100 per cent.

"North America services' usual shipment peak period in summer will further turn out to be more obvious when entering the third quarter. The freight volume is expected to keep growing at a fast speed," he said.

China's foreign trade value grew 44 per cent over last year to US$1,100 billion in the first five months. The export increased 33.2 per cent to $567.7 billion while the import up 57.5 per cent to $532.4 billion. It is estimated that the nation's foreign trade value will grow
over 15 per cent thought out 2010, says a statement from China Customs' authority.