Chinese port congestion interrupts global plastic supply chain Report

Insight 20 August 2021

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Report summary

Operations at a terminal at Ningbo Zhoushan, China’s second-largest container port, have been suspended after a worker tested positive for Covid-19, worsening the port congestion along China’s east coast and ultimately disrupting the global plastic supply chain. The Ningbo Zhoushan suspension will impact Chinese polyethylene imports of HDPE resin and exports of plastic end products (finished goods) to the international market. What will be the impact of this disruption to Chinese markets and international markets?

Executive summary
Background
Ningbo Zhoushan is China’s second largest port by containers handled and the largest by total volume handled
Port suspension will impact HDPE resin imports, but likely to be offset by ramping domestic capacities and other East China ports
The impact on plastic end product exports is the major issue
Chinese trade partners repatriating the converting operations due to supply chain issues
Major Conclusions

Tables and charts

This report includes 4 images and tables including:

Ningbo Zhoushan port polyethylene imports consist of more HDPE than other grades
Production of Chinese plastic end products increased by 18.2% in H1 2021, stable from April
Chinese major export partners of film, profile and pipe
US downstream operation rate has picked up since April