China begins importing refined product via the Mekong River

China has opened a new shipping route importing refined petroleum product to its southwest Yunnan Province from Thailand, China’s state news agency Xinhua reports. The new route is part of a launch of a trial shipping program between China and Southeast Asian partners Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, which analysts say could result in an estimated 200,000 metric tons of refined products being shipped monthly. An initial quota for the volume of product allowed to be shipped through the waterway was set at 1,200 tons per month by an agreement between Laos, Myanmar and Thailand in March 2006, which is expected to be increased. (January 3, 2007)