Hong Kong quarterly port container volume up 7pc to 6.4 million TEU

THE Port of Hong Kong`s container throughput increased seven per cent year on year to 6.4 million TEU in the second quarter, with laden boxes rising eight per cent to 5.5 million TEU while empties increased two per cent to more than 900,000 million TEU, according to Hong Kong Census & Statistics Department.

In the first half, Hong Kong handled 11.9 million TEU, an increase of four per cent year on year. Laden containers rose four per cent to 10 million TEU, while empty containers increased three per cent to 1.8 million TEU.


Total second quarter cargo volume rose nine per cent year on year to 73.4 million tonnes, comprising an eight per cent increase in inward port cargo to 42.5 million tonnes and 11 per cent growth in outward port cargo to 30.9 million tonnes.


Over the first six months of 2011, total throughput was up five per cent year on year to 136.1 million tonnes, including a four per cent increase in inward port cargo to 78.4 million tonnes and five per cent growth in outward port cargo to 57.7 million tonnes.


Quarter-to-quarter, cargo throughput increased 10 per cent in second quarter, including 11 per cent growth in inward port cargo and eight per cent rise in outward port cargo.


Sea borne cargo grew 11 per cent year on year to 51.3 million tonnes, while river cargo was up five per cent to 22.1 million tonnes in second quarter. For the first half of the year, sea borne cargo increased seven per cent to 94.5 million tonnes, while river cargo remained unchanged at 41.6 million tonnes.


In second quarter, the number of ocean vessel arrivals rose one per cent year on year to 8,090, with the total capacity increasing six per cent to 104.4 million net registered tons (NRT).


But the number of river-vessel arrivals fell one per cent year on year to 43,880 in second quarter, with the total capacity growing five per cent to 28.3 million net registered tons.


In the first half of 2011, the number of ocean-vessel arrivals increased one per cent year on year to 16,120, with the total capacity increasing eight per cent to 206.5 million net registered tons.


Yet the number of river-vessel arrivals dropped one per cent year on year to 87,050, with the total capacity increasing three per cent to 54.3 million net registered tons.