Port winners of China/US trade spat

“Likely winners” will be India, Bangladesh and South East Asia, Han Ning, Drewry’s director for China told the 16^th ASEAN Ports and Shipping Conference in Johor Bahru, Malaysia this week.

Ms Ning’s view is the trade spat between China and the US will prompt each to turn to other partners which will open new trade routes and destinations.

“World trade will experience a structural change in the long term,” she said. “Yet to see what impact would be on any port,” she told Port Strategy.

Given its level of development and mix of manufactured products and commodities, Asia is well-placed to do a lot more business.

“Both sides will seek replacement in the Asia and South East Asia markets,” she told the conference.

This process is already underway with Beijing recently cutting tariffs on 8,500 products from two South Asian countries, India and Bangladesh, she pointed out.

Longer term, Ms Ning also pointed out other problems the shipping industry must contend with among them product miniaturisation, “trending down” economic growth, 3D and 4D printing, near-shoring and policy changes such as China’s move to more recycling.