China’s National Railways’ cargo transport volumes rise 6.2% on year in Jan-Jul’21

China’s National Railways sent 2.135 billion tonnes (bn t) of cargo in the Jan-Jul’21 period, registering a growth of 6.2% y-o-y, data from National Railway Group Co. Ltd. reveals. In Jul, 290 mn t of cargoes were sent in comparison with 316 mn t in the same period in 2020 – a drop of 8.23%. In 2021, the cumulative y-o-y growth rates for each of the first seven months were 12.70%, 13.10%, 12.01%, 12.20%, 11.09%, 8.90%, and 6.2%, respectively. The slowdown in the growth rate is matched by declining monthly freight volumes, SteelMint learnt.