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The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (March 7) released statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the fourth quarter of 2007.
In the fourth quarter of 2007, total port cargo throughput increased by 7% over a year earlier to 65.0 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo rose by 2% to 36.7 million tonnes, while outward port cargo also went up by 13% to 28.3 million tonnes.
For 2007 as a whole, total port cargo throughput rose by 3% over a year earlier to 245.4 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo recorded virtually no change to 141.3 million tonnes, while outward port cargo grew by 8% to 104.1 million tonnes.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, total port cargo throughput increased by 6% in the fourth quarter of 2007. Within this total, inward and outward port cargo rose by 5% and 7% respectively. The seasonally adjusted series enables more meaningful shorter-term comparison to be made for discerning possible variations in trends.
Port cargo
Within port cargo, seaborne and river cargo rose by 8% and 4% over a year earlier to 46.9 million tonnes and 18.1 million tonnes respectively in the fourth quarter of 2007.
Within inward port cargo, imports and inward transhipment increased by 3% and 1% over a year earlier to 19.5 million tonnes and 17.2 million tonnes respectively in the fourth quarter of 2007. For outward port cargo, exports (including domestic exports and re-exports) and outward transhipment went up by 20% and 9% over a year earlier to 10.7 million tonnes and 17.6 million tonnes respectively.
Within port cargo, seaborne cargo grew by 7% in 2007 over 2006 to 177.3 million tonnes, while river cargo decreased by 5% to 68.1 million tonnes.
Within inward port cargo, imports decreased by 6% in 2007 over 2006 to 76.3 million tonnes, while inward transhipment increased by 8% to 65.0 million tonnes. For outward port cargo, exports decreased by 7% to 36.4 million tonnes, while outward transhipment went up by 18% to 67.7 million tonnes.
The detailed port cargo statistics are summarised in Table 1.
The main countries/territories of loading for inward port cargo and countries/territories of discharge for outward port cargo are shown in Table 2 and Table 3 respectively.
Comparing the fourth quarter of 2007 with the fourth quarter of 2006, the largest increase was recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Indonesia (+52%). On the other hand, more significant decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in the Philippines (-25%) and Malaysia (-10%). Over the same period, increases were registered in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in most countries/territories, with the three most significant increases recorded for Malaysia (+69%), Vietnam (+58%) and Taiwan (+56%).
Comparing 2007 with 2006, changes in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in all main countries/territories were relatively moderate. As for outward port cargo, double-digit increases were registered in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in a number of main countries/territories. The most substantial increases were recorded for Vietnam (+60%), Malaysia (+45%) and the Philippines (+29%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in the United States of America (-13%).
The principal commodities for inward and outward port cargo are shown in Table 4 and Table 5.
Comparing the fourth quarter of 2007 with the fourth quarter of 2006, double-digit changes were recorded in inward port cargo of "coal, coke and briquettes" (+93%), "iron and steel" (-17%) and "petroleum, petroleum products and related materials" (-11%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit changes were recorded for "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+18%) and "pulp and waste paper" (-11%).
Comparing 2007 with 2006, a double-digit change was recorded in inward port cargo of "stone, sand and gravel" (-19%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit changes were recorded for "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+13%) and "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (+10%).
Containers
In the fourth quarter of 2007, the port of Hong Kong handled 6.3 million TEUs of containers, representing an increase of 1% over a year earlier. Within this total, laden containers rose by 3% to 5.2 million TEUs, while empty containers decreased by 7% to 1.1 million TEUs. Among laden containers, inward and outward containers grew by 2% and 4% to 2.5 million TEUs and 2.7 million TEUs respectively.
In 2007, the port of Hong Kong handled 24.0 million TEUs of containers, representing an increase of 2% over 2006. Within this total, laden containers grew by 3% to 19.9 million TEUs, while empty containers decreased by 2% to 4.1 million TEUs. For laden containers, inward and outward containers rose by 2% and 4% to 9.5 million TEUs and 10.4 million TEUs respectively.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, laden container throughput increased by 3% in the fourth quarter of 2007, comprising increases of 3% and 4% respectively for inward and outward laden containers.
Seaborne laden containers grew by 5% in the fourth quarter of 2007 over a year earlier to 3.9 million TEUs, while river laden containers decreased by 3% to 1.3 million TEUs.
Within inward laden containers, imports decreased by 4% in the fourth quarter of 2007 over a year earlier to 0.9 million TEUs, while inward transhipment increased by 6% to 1.6 million TEUs. For outward laden containers, exports decreased by 2% to 1.1 million TEUs, while outward transhipment went up by 9% to 1.7 million TEUs.
Seaborne laden containers increased by 5% to 14.9 million TEUs in 2007 over 2006, while river laden containers decreased by 4% to 5.0 million TEUs.
Within inward laden containers, imports decreased by 7% in 2007 over 2006 to 3.6 million TEUs, while inward transhipment rose by 8% to 5.9 million TEUs. For outward laden containers, exports decreased by 9% to 4.1 million TEUs, while outward transhipment went up by 15% to 6.3 million TEUs.
The detailed container statistics are summarised in Table 6.
Port cargo and laden container statistics are compiled from a sample of consignments listed in the cargo manifests supplied by shipping companies and agents to the C&SD.
Vessel arrivals
In the fourth quarter of 2007, the number of ocean vessel arrivals decreased by 4% over a year earlier to 9 400, with the total capacity increasing by 10% to 98.1 million net registered tons. Over the same period, the number of river vessel arrivals increased by 1% to 48 120, with the total capacity decreasing by 12% to 24.9 million net registered tons.
In 2007, the number of ocean vessel arrivals decreased by 5% over 2006 to 37 150, with the total capacity increasing by 7% to 372.5 million net registered tons. Over the same period, the number of river vessel arrivals recorded virtually no change to 191 110, with the total capacity decreasing by 6% to 102.8 million net registered tons.
The statistics on vessel arrivals in Hong Kong are given in Table 7.
Vessel statistics are compiled by the Marine Department primarily from general declarations submitted by ship masters and authorised shipping agents. Pleasure vessels and fishing vessels plying exclusively within the river trade limits are excluded.
Further information
More detailed statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers are contained in the quarterly report "Hong Kong Shipping Statistics".
The October - December 2007 issue of the report, in download version, will be available by the end of March. Users can download this publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/products/publications/index.jsp).
Print version of this publication will also be available for sale at HK$60 per issue by the end of March. Purchase can be done in person at the Publications Unit of the C&SD (Address: 19/F Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai; Tel: 2582 3025) or through mail order by returning a completed order form which can be downloaded from the C&SD's website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/other_services/provision_of_stat/mail_ordering_of_publications/index.jsp). Print version of this publication is also available for sale online at the Government Bookstore of the Information Services Department (www.bookstore.gov.hk).
Enquiries on port cargo and container statistics may be directed to the Shipping and Cargo Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4889 or email: shipping@censtatd.gov.hk). For enquiries about vessel statistics, readers may contact the Statistics Section under the Planning, Development and Port Security Branch of the Marine Department (Tel: 2852 3661 or email: st-sec@mardep.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, March 7, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:15
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