China Not Aware of Shandong Port Ban on US-Sanctioned Ships

January 8, 2025

© Vladimir / Adobe Stock
© Vladimir / Adobe Stock

China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday it was not aware of Shandong Port Group's decision to ban U.S.-sanctioned vessels from its network of east coast harbours.

The group oversees several major terminals in the province of Shandong, which is the main entry point for Iranian, Russian and Venezuelan oil imported into China. Last year, those embargoed flows were almost a fifth of total oil imports.

If the ban is enforced, traders say it will drive up shipping costs for independent refiners in Shandong, the main buyers of discounted sanctioned crude from the three countries, and could also slow oil imports into China.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said they were not aware of the decision, reported by Reuters on Tuesday, and reiterated China's opposition to U.S. sanctions.

"As a matter of principle, I am not aware of the relevant situation," the spokesperson said at a daily press conference.

"China has always firmly opposed the lack of international law on the part of the United States, illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction without U.N. Security Council authorization," they added.


(Reuters - Reporting by Liz Lee and Lewis Jackson in Beijing; Editing by Alexander Smith)

Logistics News

Mexico Expands Its Largest Port in Bet on Economic Growth and Global Trade

Mexico Expands Its Largest Port in Bet on Economic Growth and Global Trade

ESL Joins World Shipping Council

Just-In-Time Arrival: A Triple Win

Just-In-Time Arrival: A Triple Win

Drewry: Global Container Shipping Volume to Fall 1% in Response to Trump Trade Policies

Drewry: Global Container Shipping Volume to Fall 1% in Response to Trump Trade Policies

Subscribe for Maritime Logistics Professional E‑News

Drewry: Global container shipping volume will fall by 1% due to Trump's trade policies
Ukrainian Railways Expects Freight Tariff Increase Soon
Air India is in talks with Boeing about 10 planes that Chinese airlines have rejected.