Has China's Guangzhou port really banned coal imports?

Various news reports suggest China's Guangzhou port will impose a ban on the unloading of imported coal from 10 September to the end of the year. The port, which is one of the largest import ports for thermal coal in the country, has reportedly reached its import quota. An official statement released by Xinsha, a Guangzhou port subsidiary, refutes the claims of a ban. The company said coal imports were operating normally again after typhoon conditions caused a backlog that left storage facilities temporarily unable to accept new cargoes. However, after speaking to traders, mills and utilities, Wood Mackenzie has verified that some form of import restriction has indeed been imposed on the port. We believe Guangzhou port will restrict coal imports for the rest of the year, but it will not have a major impact on China's total import supply.