Cargo boom leads to 900 vessel back-up along river in E China

HEFEI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- About 900 vessels, mostly cargo ships, have been stuck at a river floodgate in the eastern province of Anhui for as long as a week, held up by heavy water-borne transport volumes, local officials said.

These vessels, carrying bulk cargo such as coal and sand, were stranded at the Bengbu floodgate of the Huaihe River, the country's third-longest river, said Fang Shenglong, an official in charge of floodgate management.

There were about 2,000 people on these vessels, many running short of food and water. Fang said that marine staff had provided free drinking water and other help.

He said it was taking five to six days for vessels to pass through the floodgate, which can handle 210 vessels a day.

Fang said there had been a boom in river transport, which is more attractive amid rising fuel prices. Most of the vessels were very large, which also slowed down the traffic, he said.