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The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (December 8) released statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the third quarter of 2006.
In the third quarter of 2006, total port cargo throughput increased by 5% over a year earlier to 61.8 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo decreased slightly by 1% to 35.4 million tonnes, while outward port cargo rose by 14% to 26.4 million tonnes.
For the first nine months of 2006, total port cargo throughput grew by 4% over a year earlier to 177.4 million tonnes. Within this total, inward and outward port cargo increased by 1% and 9% to 105.7 million tonnes and 71.7 million tonnes respectively.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, total port cargo throughput increased by 5% in the third quarter of 2006. Within this total, inward port cargo increased by 2%, while outward port cargo went up by 8%. 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 cargo recorded virtually no change over a year earlier to 41.8 million tonnes, while river cargo went up by 15% to 19.9 million tonnes in the third quarter of 2006.
Within inward port cargo, both imports and inward transhipment decreased slightly by 1% over a year earlier to 20.9 million tonnes and 14.5 million tonnes respectively in the third quarter of 2006. For outward port cargo, exports (including domestic exports and re-exports) surged by 18% and outward transhipment grew by 10% over a year earlier to 11.5 million tonnes and 14.9 million tonnes respectively.
Within port cargo, seaborne cargo increased by 2% in the first nine months of 2006 over a year earlier to 122.9 million tonnes, and river cargo went up by 9% to 54.5 million tonnes.
Within inward port cargo, imports decreased slightly by 1% in the first nine months of 2006 over a year earlier to 62.5 million tonnes, while inward transhipment increased by 3% to 43.2 million tonnes. For outward port cargo, exports and outward transhipment went up by 13% and 6% to 30.3 million tonnes and 41.4 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 third quarter of 2006 with the third quarter of 2005, a double-digit increase was recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Thailand (+10%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Malaysia (-34%), Australia (-27%), Taiwan (-14%) and Singapore (-13%). Over the same period, double-digit increases were registered in the tonnage of outward port cargo for discharge in the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+18%), Japan (+16%), Vietnam (+13%), Thailand (+12%) and Taiwan (+10%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in Macao (-12%).
Comparing the first nine months of 2006 with the same period in 2005, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Singapore (-15%), Taiwan (-13%) and Malaysia (-12%). Over the same period, double-digit increases were registered in the tonnage of outward port cargo for discharge in Germany (+15%), Malaysia (+14%), Japan (+12%), Macao (+12%), Vietnam (+11%) and the Mainland (+11%).
The principal commodities for inward and outward port cargo are shown in Table 4 and Table 5.
Comparing the third quarter of 2006 with the third quarter of 2005, double-digit increases were recorded in inward port cargo of "pulp and waste paper" (+21%), "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (+20%) and "machinery" (+11%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded for "artificial resins and plastic materials" (-17%), "coal, coke and briquettes" (-16%), "paper and paper products" (-13%) and "iron and steel" (-10%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded for "iron and steel" (+69%), "pulp and waste paper" (+26%), "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+21%), "paper and paper products" (+15%), "textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles and related products" (+13%) and "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (+10%).
Comparing the first nine months of 2006 with the same period in 2005, double-digit increases were recorded in inward port cargo of "pulp and waste paper" (+19%) and "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+15%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded for "iron and steel" (-15%) and "paper and paper products" (-12%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded for "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+32%), "pulp and waste paper" (+22%), "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (+16%), "textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles and related products" (+16%), "tools, cutlery, metal household ware and manufactures" (+12%) and "artificial resins and plastic materials" (+10%).
Containers
In the third quarter of 2006, the port of Hong Kong handled 6.1 million TEUs of containers, representing an increase of 1% over a year earlier. Within this total, laden containers rose by 3% to 5.0 million TEUs, while empty containers decreased by 6% to 1.1 million TEUs. Among laden containers, inward and outward containers rose by 1% and 4% to 2.4 million TEUs and 2.7 million TEUs respectively in the third quarter of 2006.
In the first nine months of 2006, the port of Hong Kong handled 17.4 million TEUs of containers, representing an increase of 4% over the same period in 2005. Within this total, laden containers grew by 5% to 14.3 million TEUs, and empty containers recorded virtually no change to 3.1 million TEUs. For laden containers, inward and outward containers rose by 4% and 5% to 6.9 million TEUs and 7.4 million TEUs respectively.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, laden container throughput recorded virtually no change in the third quarter of 2006. Within this total, inward laden containers increased by 1%, while outward laden containers decreased by 1%.
Seaborne laden containers increased by 1% over a year earlier to 3.7 million TEUs in the third quarter of 2006, and river laden containers also went up by 7% to 1.4 million TEUs.
Within inward laden containers, imports grew by 5% over a year earlier to 1.0 million TEUs in the third quarter of 2006, while inward transhipment decreased slightly by 1% to 1.4 million TEUs. For outward laden containers, exports decreased by 4% to 1.2 million TEUs, while outward transhipment went up by 12% to 1.4 million TEUs respectively.
In the first nine months of 2006, seaborne laden containers increased by 3% to 10.4 million TEUs over the same period in 2005, and river laden containers also rose by 10% to 3.9 million TEUs.
Within inward laden containers, imports and inward transhipment amounted to 2.9 million TEUs and 4.0 million TEUs respectively in the first nine months of 2006, representing increases of 6% and 3% over the same period in 2005. For outward laden containers, exports and outward transhipment increased by 2% and 8% to 3.4 million TEUs and 3.9 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 C&SD.
Vessel arrivals
In the third quarter of 2006, the number of ocean vessel arrivals decreased by 2% over a year earlier to 10 020, with the total capacity increasing by 6% to 87.5 million net registered tons. Over the same period, the number of river vessel arrivals decreased by 3% to 48 050, with the total capacity increasing by 5% to 27.4 million net registered tons.
In the first nine months of 2006, the number of ocean vessel arrivals recorded virtually no change over a year earlier to 29 240, with the total capacity increasing by 7% to 257.7 million net registered tons. Over the same period, the number of river vessel arrivals grew by 1% over a year earlier to 144 150, with the total capacity increasing by 10% to 81.3 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.
More detailed statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers are contained in the bilingual quarterly report "Hong Kong Shipping Statistics".
The July-September 2006 issue of the report, in download version, will be available by the end of December. Users can download this publication free of charge at the "Statistical Bookstore, Hong Kong" (www.statisticalbookstore.gov.hk) of the C&SD.
Print version of this publication will also be available for sale at HK$50 per issue by the end of December. 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 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 C&SD at 2582 4889 or email shipping@censtatd.gov.hk. For enquiries about vessel statistics, readers may contact the Statistics Section, Planning, Development and Port Security Branch of the Marine Department at 2852 3661 or email st-sec@mardep.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, December 8, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:15
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