From a year ago, the port's laden throughput fell 18.5 per cent in June, also deeper than the 15.5 per cent decline in May.

'The results have been very disappointing. It's worse than what we expected. Normally, June's throughput should be more than May, because it approaches the peak shipping season in July and August,' said Sunny Ho Lap-kee, executive director of the Hong Kong Shippers' Council.

'Shenzhen's June figures show the immediate outlook for global trade is bleak,' Mr Ho said.

Container throughput at the mainland's major ports declined 14 per cent year on year last month and 9 per cent from May, Jing Ulrich, China equities managing director at JP Morgan said.

This includes a year-on-year decline of 18 per cent and a seasonally adjusted month-on-month decline of 9 per cent in container throughput in Shanghai, the country's biggest port.

'We see the greatest risk for Chinese ports in the Pearl River Delta and Shanghai regions. Particularly in the Pearl River Delta, China's exports are dominated by low-end products such as furniture, apparel and toys,' a Macquarie Research report said.

'While the macro-data for the US may suggest some signs of a recovery, the micro-data of the demand for these products remain weak with retail sales tracking a negative month-on-month trend and increasing retail bankruptcies.'

Macquarie interviewed more than 20 officials from medium-sized to large factories producing furniture, toys and apparel in Guangdong province, whose key export port is Shenzhen due to its proximity.

'The feedback was the current trading environment remains weak, with sporadic and limited order flow,' Macquarie said.

Downward move

Container throughput at the nation's major ports last month declined: 14%