Tianjin port, one of the country's busiest, will apply the brakes to coal transportation by trucks from the second half of this year, to alleviate pollution caused by diesel-powered trucks and coal consumption, its mayor said.

To ease pollution that has shrouded large regions of northern China in recent years, starting July coal handled by the port will be transported by rail instead of diesel-fueled trucks, Mayor Wang Dongfeng said.

The measures are meant to lower diesel-powered truck transportation and reduce coal usage, Wang added.