Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Email this article news.gov.hk
Statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the fourth quarter of 2014
*********************************************************

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (March 9) released statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the fourth quarter of 2014.

     In the fourth quarter of 2014, total port cargo throughput recorded virtually no change at 75.2 million tonnes compared with the fourth quarter of 2013. Within this total, inward port cargo increased by 3% to 45.8 million tonnes, while outward port cargo decreased by 4% to 29.4 million tonnes.

     For 2014 as a whole, total port cargo throughput increased by 8% compared with a year earlier to 297.7 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo increased by 14% to 184.2 million tonnes, while outward port cargo recorded virtually no change at 113.6 million tonnes.

     On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, total port cargo throughput decreased by 3% in the fourth quarter of 2014. Within this total, inward and outward port cargo both dropped by 3%. 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 recorded virtually no change in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared with a year earlier at 47.9 million tonnes and 27.3 million tonnes respectively.

     Within inward port cargo, imports increased by 18% in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared with a year earlier to 27.7 million tonnes, while inward transhipment decreased by 14% to 18.0 million tonnes. For outward port cargo, exports (including domestic exports and re-exports) increased by 9% compared with a year earlier to 11.6 million tonnes, while outward transhipment decreased by 10% to 17.8 million tonnes.

     Within port cargo, seaborne and river cargo increased by 7% and 9% in 2014 compared with 2013 to 197.3 million tonnes and 100.4 million tonnes respectively.

     Within inward port cargo, imports increased by 30% in 2014 compared with 2013 to 106.7 million tonnes, while inward transhipment decreased by 3% to 77.5 million tonnes. For outward port cargo, exports increased by 3% to 38.1 million tonnes, while outward transhipment decreased by 2% to 75.4 million tonnes.

     The detailed port cargo statistics are summarised in Table 1.

     The main countries/territories of loading of inward port cargo and countries/territories of discharge of outward port cargo are shown in Table 2 and Table 3 respectively.

     Comparing the fourth quarter of 2014 with the fourth quarter of 2013, a double-digit increase was recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in the mainland of China (+19%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Indonesia (-27%), Taiwan (-20%), Thailand (-16%), Vietnam (-14%) and Korea (-11%). For outward port cargo, a double-digit increase was registered in the tonnage discharged in the Philippines (+21%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in Taiwan (-14%), Thailand (-13%) and Japan (-11%).

     Comparing 2014 with 2013, a double-digit increase was recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in the mainland of China (+40%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Indonesia (-32%) and Taiwan (-12%). For outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded in the tonnage discharged in Korea (+20%) and the Philippines (+18%).

     The principal commodities of inward and outward port cargo are shown in Table 4 and Table 5 respectively.

     Comparing the fourth quarter of 2014 with the fourth quarter of 2013, double-digit changes were recorded in inward port cargo of "stone, sand and gravel; metalliferous ores and metal scrap; and pulp and waste paper" (+34%), "machinery" (-13%) and "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (-20%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit changes were recorded for "iron and steel" (+16%) and "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (-25%).

     Comparing 2014 with 2013, double-digit changes were recorded in inward port cargo of "stone, sand and gravel; metalliferous ores and metal scrap; and pulp and waste paper" (+69%) and "petroleum, petroleum products and related materials; and coal, coke and briquettes" (-12%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit changes were recorded for "logs and timber; wood, simply worked" (+20%) and "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (-11%).

Containers

     In the fourth quarter of 2014, the port of Hong Kong handled 5.4 million TEUs of containers, representing a decrease of 7% compared with a year earlier. Within this total, laden and empty containers decreased by 8% and 3% to 4.6 million TEUs and 0.8 million TEUs respectively. Among laden containers, inward and outward containers dropped by 9% and 8% respectively to 2.3 million TEUs.

     In 2014, the port of Hong Kong handled 22.2 million TEUs of containers, representing a decrease of 1% compared with 2013. Within this total, laden containers decreased by 1% to 19.0 million TEUs, while empty containers increased by 3% to 3.2 million TEUs. Among laden containers, inward containers decreased by 2% to 9.5 million TEUs, while outward containers recorded virtually no change at 9.5 million TEUs.

     On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, laden container throughput decreased by 3% in the fourth quarter of 2014. Within this total, inward and outward laden containers decreased by 2% and 4% respectively.

     Seaborne laden containers decreased by 12% in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared with a year earlier to 3.3 million TEUs, while river laden containers increased by 1% to 1.3 million TEUs.

     Within inward laden containers, imports recorded virtually no change at 0.7 million TEUs in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared with a year earlier, while inward transhipment decreased by 12% to 1.6 million TEUs. For outward laden containers, exports and outward transhipment decreased by 2% and 10% to 0.7 million TEUs and 1.6 million TEUs respectively.

     In 2014, seaborne laden containers decreased by 3% compared with 2013 to 13.9 million TEUs, while river laden containers increased by 4% to 5.1 million TEUs.

     Within inward laden containers, imports increased by 2% in 2014 compared with 2013 to 2.8 million TEUs, while inward transhipment decreased by 4% to 6.7 million TEUs. For outward laden containers, exports increased by 3% to 2.8 million TEUs, while outward transhipment decreased by 1% to 6.7 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

     Comparing the fourth quarter of 2014 with the fourth quarter of 2013, the number of ocean vessel arrivals recorded virtually no change at 7 690, with the total capacity decreasing by 3% to 103.0 million net registered tons. The number of river vessel arrivals recorded virtually no change at 40 900, with the total capacity decreasing by 2% to 28.7 million net registered tons.

     Comparing 2014 with 2013, the number of ocean vessel arrivals increased by 1% to 30 180, with the total capacity decreasing by 2% to 404.7 million net registered tons. Both the number of river vessel arrivals and its total capacity increased by 1% to 159 280 and 111.2 million net registered tons respectively.

     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 port cargo, containers and vessels are contained in the quarterly report "Hong Kong Shipping Statistics".

     The October - December 2014 issue of the report 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/hkstat/sub/sp130.jsp?productCode=B1020008).

     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/Monday, March 9, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:30

NNNN

Print this page