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The Census and Statistics Department today (June 9) released statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the first quarter of 2006.
In the first quarter of 2006, total port cargo throughput increased by 5% over a year earlier to 56.1 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo went up by 4% to 34.9 million tonnes, and outward port cargo rose by 5% to 21.2 million tonnes.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, total port cargo throughput decreased by 2% in the first quarter of 2006. Within this total, both inward and outward port cargo shrank by 2%. 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 2% and 10% over a year earlier to 38.8 million tonnes and 17.3 million tonnes respectively in the first quarter of 2006.
Within inward port cargo, imports and inward transhipment increased by 1% and 8% over a year earlier to 20.7 million tonnes and 14.2 million tonnes respectively in the first quarter of 2006. For outward port cargo, exports (including domestic exports and re-exports) and outward transhipment grew by 9% and 3% over a year earlier to 8.6 million tonnes and 12.5 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 first quarter of 2006 with the first quarter of 2005, double-digit increases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Germany (+22%) and the mainland of China (+11%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Singapore (-15%), Malaysia (-14%) and Taiwan (-11%). Over the same period, double-digit increases were registered in the tonnage of outward port cargo for discharge in Macao (+52%) and Germany (+19%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in Thailand (-21%).
The principal commodities for inward and outward port cargo are shown in Table 4 and Table 5.
Comparing the first quarter of 2006 with the first quarter of 2005, double-digit increases were recorded in inward port cargo of "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+58%), "stone, sand and gravel" (+28%), "coal, coke and briquettes" (+23%) and "pulp and waste paper" (+10%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded for "iron and steel" (-14%), "paper and paper products" (-13%), "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (-11%) and "petroleum, petroleum products and related materials" (-10%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded for "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+75%), "textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles and related products" (+19%), "tools, cutlery, metal household ware and manufactures" (+17%) and "artificial resins and plastic materials" (+12%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded for "iron and steel" (-22%).
Containers
In the first quarter of 2006, the port of Hong Kong handled 5.4 million TEUs of containers, representing an increase of 5% over a year earlier. Within this total, laden and empty containers rose by 5% and 4% to 4.4 million TEUs and 1.0 million TEUs respectively. Among laden containers, inward and outward containers grew by 6% and 4% respectively over a year earlier to 2.2 million TEUs in the first quarter of 2006.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, laden container throughput decreased by 2% in the first quarter of 2006, comprising decreases of 4% and 1% respectively for inward and outward laden containers.
Seaborne laden containers increased by 2% over a year earlier to 3.2 million TEUs in the first quarter of 2006, while river laden containers went up by 14% to 1.2 million TEUs.
Within inward laden containers, imports recorded virtually no change in the first quarter of 2006 to 0.9 million TEUs, while inward transhipment went up by 10% to 1.3 million TEUs. For outward laden containers, exports and outward transhipment increased by 3% and 4% to 1.0 million TEUs and 1.2 million TEUs respectively.
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 first quarter of 2006, the number of ocean vessel arrivals went up by 3% over a year earlier to 9 360, with the total capacity increasing by 10% to 83.9 million net registered tons. Over the same period, the number of river vessel arrivals rose by 4% to 47 450, with the total capacity soaring by 18% to 27.0 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 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 bilingual quarterly report "Hong Kong Shipping Statistics".
The January-March 2006 issue of the report, in download version, will be available by the end of June. Users can download this publication free of charge at the "Statistical Bookstore, Hong Kong" (www.statisticalbookstore.gov.hk) of the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD).
Print version of this publication will also be available for sale at HK$50 per issue by the end of June. Purchase can be 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 Statistical Bookstore and the Government Bookstore of the Information Services Department (www.isd.gov.hk/eng/bookorder.htm). Print versions if purchased online are offered a discount, at 85% of their original prices.
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, June 9, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:16
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