Freight rates to ship coal from northern China's Qinhuangdao port to the other Chinese ports of Zhangjiagang, Shanghai and Guangzhou fell for a third straight week, Qinhuangdao port said Tuesday.

Rates from Qinhuangdao to Zhangjiagang for 20,000-30,000 mt capacity vessels averaged Yuan 30.10/mt ($4.83/mt) in the week ended May 13, down Yuan 1.90/mt week on week, the port said.

Rates on the Qinhuangdao-Shanghai route for vessels with 40,000-50,000 mt capacity fell Yuan 1.40/mt week on week to Yuan 25.90/mt, and rates from Qinhuangdao to Guangzhou for 50,000-60,000 mt vessels fell Yuan 1.60/mt to Yuan 36.40/mt.

Coal stocks at Qinhuangdao port rose to 5.58 million mt as of May 14, up from 5.19 million mt a week earlier, port figures showed.