China's logistics sector shows robust demand, steady operation in November

China's logistics sector showed robust demand and steady operation, with the total business volume index of most industries in the expansion range, according to the logistics prosperity index for November released by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP) on Tuesday.

The logistics prosperity index was 52.8 percent in November, up 0.2 percentage points from the previous month.

The logistics demand remained strong, driving the rise in the business volume index. Particularly, the logistics activity in the central region outpaced that of other regions in the country, with a total business volume index reaching 53.7 percent, surpassing the national level by 0.9 percentage points.

Since the start of the fourth quarter, the steady release of demands for industrial upgrading and renovation and consumption potential has led to increased logistics demands in areas such as communications equipment, electrical machinery, furniture and home appliances, agricultural and sideline products, and new energy vehicle manufacturing.

Meanwhile, there has been a notable seasonal rebound in energy resources and raw materials demands, propelling most industries to sustain an expanding trend in the total business volume index. Among them, the railway transportation, air transportation, and express delivery services have seen their total business volume indexes reach the high prosperity levels at 55.8 percent, 56.2 percent, and 70.6 percent, respectively.

In November, the fixed asset investment completion index in the logistics sector remained in the expansion range, surpassing 51 percent. Enterprise surveys indicate that the growth rate of infrastructure investment is generally stable, with a notable demand for digital and platform-based investments.

From the recent trends, the business activity expectation index has consistently stayed in the high prosperity zone, exceeding 57 percent for three consecutive months.

"The continuous rise in the logistics prosperity index indicates a notable growth in the demand for logistics within our country's economic performance. The further heightened activity across various aspects of logistics also indicates that logistics is offering robust support for the recovery and growth of our national economy," said Cai Jin, vice president of the CFLP.

China's logistics sector shows robust demand, steady operation in November

A spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) said on Monday that the situation in waters near the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile, urging vessels in the area to take maximum caution.

"The situation continues to be volatile. Ships should take maximum caution and not take risks without security guarantees," the spokesperson said in a statement.

According to the information released on the IMO website, as of April 19, a total of 24 attacks on ships in the affected waters had been confirmed, resulting in the deaths of 10 seafarers.

The IMO, the United Nations specialized agency responsible for maritime safety and security, as well as the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships, has called for de-escalation, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that with the U.S. repeatedly violating ceasefire deals and posing threats to Iran’s ports and vessels, a unilateral return to normal shipping remains out of reach.

Also on Monday, the U.S. Central Command claimed in a social media post that the U.S. forces have directed 27 vessels to turn around or return to Iranian ports since its blockade on navigation through the Strait starting April 13.

However, according to a report released from Lloyd's List on Monday, at least 26 vessels involved in Iranian shipping had managed to break through the U.S. blockade.

IMO urges ships near Strait of Hormuz to be on maximum alert