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The Census and Statistics Department today (March 10) released statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the fourth quarter of 2005.
In the fourth quarter of 2005, total port cargo throughput increased by 8% over a year earlier to 59.2 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo went up by 10% to 35.9 million tonnes, and outward port cargo rose by 4% to 23.3 million tonnes.
For 2005 as a whole, total port cargo throughput recorded an increase of 4% to 230.1 million tonnes. Within this total, inward and outward port cargo grew by 5% and 4% to 141.0 million tonnes and 89.2 million tonnes respectively.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, total port cargo throughput decreased by 1% in the fourth quarter of 2005. Within this total, both inward and outward port cargo shrank by 1%. 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 5% and 15% over a year earlier to 40.7 million tonnes and 18.5 million tonnes respectively in the fourth quarter of 2005.
Within inward port cargo, imports and inward transhipment grew by 8% and 13% over a year earlier to 21.3 million tonnes and 14.6 million tonnes respectively in the fourth quarter of 2005. For outward port cargo, exports (including domestic exports and re-exports) went up by 13% to 10.0 million tonnes, while outward transhipment dropped slightly by 1% to 13.2 million tonnes.
Within port cargo, seaborne cargo increased by 2% in 2005 over 2004 to 161.5 million tonnes, while river cargo went up by 10% to 68.7 million tonnes.
Within inward port cargo, imports and inward transhipment increased by 2% and 8% in 2005 over 2004 to 84.4 million tonnes and 56.5 million tonnes respectively. For outward port cargo, both exports and outward transhipment rose by 4% to 36.8 million tonnes and 52.4 million tonnes respectively.
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 2005 with the fourth quarter of 2004, double-digit increases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Singapore (+32%), Japan (+19%) and the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+16%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Australia (-39%), Malaysia (-12%), the Republic of Korea (-11%) and Thailand (-10%). Over the same period, double-digit increases were registered in the tonnage of outward port cargo for discharge in Macao (+60%), Taiwan (+22%) and Japan (+18%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in Malaysia (-10%).
Comparing 2005 with 2004, double-digit increases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Singapore (+27%), Indonesia (+17%) and the Mainland (+12%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Australia (-36%) and the Republic of Korea (-25%). Over the same period, double-digit increases were registered in the tonnage of outward port cargo for discharge in Macao (+62%), Vietnam (+30%), Thailand (+23%), Taiwan (+20%), Japan (+20%) and the Philippines (+10%).
The principal commodities for inward and outward port cargo are shown in Table 4 and Table 5.
Comparing the fourth quarter of 2005 with the fourth quarter of 2004, double-digit increases were recorded in inward port cargo of "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+66%), "stone, sand and gravel" (+55%), "pulp and waste paper" (+31%), "petroleum, petroleum products and related materials" (+23%) and "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (+11%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded for "coal, coke and briquettes" (-10%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded for "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+42%), "pulp and waste paper" (+33%), "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (+27%) and "textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles and related products" (+15%).
Comparing 2005 with 2004, double-digit increases were recorded in inward port cargo of "pulp and waste paper" (+45%), "stone, sand and gravel" (+30%), "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+25%), "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (+20%), "coal, coke and briquettes" (+10%) and "petroleum, petroleum products and related materials" (+10%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded for "paper and paper products" (-16%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded for "pulp and waste paper" (+44%), "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (+20%) and "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+18%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded for "paper and paper products" (-12%).
Containers
In the fourth quarter of 2005, the port of Hong Kong handled 5.9 million TEUs of containers, representing an increase of 5% over a year earlier. Within this total, laden containers went up by 7% to 4.8 million TEUs, while empty containers decreased slightly by 1% to 1.1 million TEUs. Among laden containers, inward and outward containers increased by 12% and 2% in the fourth quarter of 2005 over a year earlier to 2.3 million TEUs and 2.5 million TEUs respectively.
In 2005, the port of Hong Kong handled 22.6 million TEUs of containers, representing an increase of 3% over 2004. Within this total, laden and empty containers rose by 3% and 1% in 2005 to 18.5 million TEUs and 4.1 million TEUs respectively. For laden containers, inward and outward containers increased by 6% and 1% in 2005 to 9.0 million TEUs and 9.5 million TEUs respectively.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, laden container throughput increased by 1% in the fourth quarter of 2005. Within this total, inward laden containers rose by 2%, while outward laden containers recorded virtually no change.
Seaborne laden containers grew by 4% in the fourth quarter of 2005 to 3.5 million TEUs, while river laden containers went up by 14% to 1.3 million TEUs.
Within inward laden containers, imports increased by 9% to 1.0 million TEUs, while inward transhipment went up by 14% to 1.4 million TEUs in the fourth quarter of 2005. For outward laden containers, exports rose by 6% to 1.2 million TEUs, while outward transhipment dropped by 2% to 1.2 million TEUs.
Seaborne laden containers recorded virtually no change in 2005 to 13.6 million TEUs, while river laden containers went up by 12% to 4.9 million TEUs.
Within inward laden containers, imports recorded virtually no change in 2005 to 3.7 million TEUs, while inward transhipment went up by 11% to 5.3 million TEUs. For outward laden containers, exports decreased by 2% to 4.6 million TEUs, while outward transhipment increased by 3% to 4.9 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 or agents to the Census and Statistics Department.
Vessel arrivals
In the fourth quarter of 2005, the number of ocean vessel arrivals went up by 6% over a year earlier to 9 960, with the total capacity increasing by 9% to 84.0 million net registered tons. Over the same period, the number of river vessel arrivals rose by 4% to 49 780, with the total capacity increasing by 15% to 26.7 million net registered tons.
In 2005, the number of ocean vessel arrivals was up by 9% over 2004 to 39 140, with the total capacity increasing by 5% to 323.9 million net registered tons. Over the same period, the number of river vessel arrivals increased by 2% to 192 680, with the total capacity increasing by 10% to 100.8 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 or authorized 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 bilingual quarterly report "Hong Kong Shipping Statistics".
The October-December 2005 issue of the report will be on sale by the end of March, at HK$49. Both print version and download version of the publication can be purchased online at the "Statistical Bookstore, Hong Kong" (http://www.statisticalbookstore.gov.hk). Download version of the publication can be purchased at 75% of its original price exclusively at the online Statistical Bookstore. Print version if purchased online is also offered a discount, at 85% of its original price at the Statistical Bookstore as well as the Government Bookstore (http://www.isd.gov.hk/eng/bookorder.htm).
For purchase of print version, this can be done through mail order by returning a completed order form which can be downloaded from the C&SD's website (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/eng/prod_serv/forms_index.html). Purchase can also be made in person at the Publications Unit of the C&SD (Address : 19/F Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai; Tel.: 2582 3025).
Enquiries on port cargo and container statistics may be directed to the Shipping and Cargo Statistics Section of the Census and Statistics Department at 2582 4889. For enquiries about vessel statistics, readers may contact the Statistics Section, Planning, Development and Port Security Branch of the Marine Department at 2852 3661.
Ends/Friday, March 10, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:59
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