Platts proposes adding Nantong Port as a basis location for PX CFR Taiwan/China assessment

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, proposes to add Nantong (Yangkou) Port in China as a basis location for its CFR Taiwan/China Paraxylene (PX) assessment, effective Jan. 4, 2027.

The proposed change aims to better reflect current PX trade flows and Nantong Port's growing role as a destination for PX imports into China.

Market participant data show that PX volumes imported through Nantong Port reached about 1.4 million metric tons in 2025, up 850,000 mt from 2024. PX import volumes into the port are expected to increase further to about 1.8 million mt in 2026.

Nantong Port is a deep-water port in Jiangsu province on China's eastern coast. It is operated by state-owned Jiangsu Yangkou Port Co Ltd.

Based on market feedback, Platts understands that Nantong Port can accommodate fully-laden Medium-Range vessels of up to 50,000 mt DWT. This is consistent with the other basis locations reflected in the assessment. The port has five berths and three possible discharge operations. Berth G3 can accommodate ships of up to 12,500 mt DWT, while berths G4 and G5 are able to accommodate ships of maximum 50,000 mt DWT.

The PX CFR Taiwan/China assessment currently reflects standard Taiwan ports, Ningbo, Dalian, Jiangyin and Jiaxing.

Under the proposal, Platts would publish bids and offers allowing buyers the option to receive cargoes in any of the six par ports (i.e. Taiwan, Ningbo, Dalian, Jiangyin, Jiaxing and Nantong).

Buyers could nominate Nantong Port as the discharge port for trades reported in the PX CFR Taiwan/China Market on Close assessment process. Sellers should not unreasonably withhold acceptance of buyer's nomination of ports.

Platts assesses bids on a CFR Taiwan/China basis, with standard ports of destination at the buyer's option, and offers with the port location at the buyer's option.

Platts invites feedback on the suitability of Nantong port as a discharge location in the assessment process, as well as on market participants' experiences with discharge operations at the port.

All other specifications in the PX CFR Taiwan/China benchmark would remain unchanged. Information on the specifications for Platts PX assessments, including the applicable terms, conditions and nomination requirements for data submitted to the Platts PX MOC, is available in the Asia Chemicals Specifications Guide.

Please submit all feedback and comments by Nov. 4 to petchems@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.

For written comments, please clearly indicate whether they are not intended for publication by Platts. Platts will consider all comments received and may make comments that are not marked as confidential available upon request.