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The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (September 8) released statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the second quarter of 2006.
In the second quarter of 2006, total port cargo throughput increased by 2% over a year earlier to 59.6 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo decreased slightly by 1% to 35.4 million tonnes, while outward port cargo rose by 7% to 24.2 million tonnes.
For the first half of 2006, total port cargo throughput rose by 3% over a year earlier to 115.6 million tonnes. Within this total, inward and outward port cargo grew by 2% and 6% to 70.3 million tonnes and 45.3 million tonnes respectively.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, total port cargo throughput increased by 1% in the second quarter of 2006. Within this total, inward port cargo decreased by 2%, while outward port cargo went up by 7%. 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 3% and 1% over a year earlier to 42.2 million tonnes and 17.4 million tonnes respectively in the second quarter of 2006.
Within inward port cargo, imports decreased by 3% over a year earlier to 21.0 million tonnes, while inward transhipment increased by 2% to 14.5 million tonnes in the second quarter of 2006. For outward port cargo, exports (including domestic exports and re-exports) and outward transhipment grew by 11% and 4% over a year earlier to 10.2 million tonnes and 13.9 million tonnes respectively.
Within port cargo, seaborne cargo increased by 2% in the first half of 2006 over a year earlier to 81.0 million tonnes, and river cargo went up by 5% to 34.6 million tonnes.
Within inward port cargo, imports decreased slightly by 1% in the first half of 2006 over a year earlier to 41.6 million tonnes, while inward transhipment went up by 5% to 28.7 million tonnes. For outward port cargo, exports and outward transhipment increased by 10% and 3% to 18.8 million tonnes and 26.5 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 second quarter of 2006 with the second quarter of 2005, substantial increases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in the Philippines (+158%), Malaysia (+31%) and the United States of America (+13%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Indonesia (-24%), Singapore (-17%) and Taiwan (-15%). Over the same period, double-digit increases were registered in the tonnage of outward port cargo for discharge in Korea (+52%), Malaysia (+35%), Vietnam (+26%), Japan (+20%) and Germany (+17%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in Taiwan (-17%).
Comparing the first half of 2006 with the same period in 2005, a substantial increase was recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in the Philippines (+156%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Singapore (-16%), Taiwan (-13%) and Indonesia (-10%). Over the same period, double-digit increases were registered in the tonnage of outward port cargo for discharge in Korea (+29%), Macao (+25%), Malaysia (+21%), Germany (+18%), Japan (+10%) and Vietnam (+10%).
The principal commodities for inward and outward port cargo are shown in Table 4 and Table 5.
Comparing the second quarter of 2006 with the second quarter of 2005, double-digit increases were recorded in inward port cargo of "pulp and waste paper" (+29%) and "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+16%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded for "coal, coke and briquettes" (-23%), "iron and steel" (-21%) and "paper and paper products" (-10%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded for "pulp and waste paper" (+38%), "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (+30%), "textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles and related products" (+15%), "tools, cutlery, metal household ware and manufactures" (+15%), "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+14%) and "artificial resins and plastic materials" (+12%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded for "iron and steel" (-14%).
Comparing the first half of 2006 with the same period in 2005, double-digit increases were recorded in inward port cargo of "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+33%), "pulp and waste paper" (+19%) and "stone, sand and gravel" (+13%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded for "iron and steel" (-18%) and "paper and paper products" (-11%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded for "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+38%), "pulp and waste paper" (+20%), "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (+19%), "textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles and related products" (+17%), "tools, cutlery, metal household ware and manufactures" (+16%) and "artificial resins and plastic materials" (+12%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded for "iron and steel" (-18%).
Containers
In the second quarter of 2006, the port of Hong Kong handled 5.9 million TEUs of containers, representing an increase of 6% over a year earlier. Within this total, laden and empty containers rose by 7% and 1% to 4.9 million TEUs and 1.0 million TEUs respectively. Among laden containers, inward and outward containers grew by 6% and 8% to 2.4 million TEUs and 2.5 million TEUs respectively in the second quarter of 2006.
In the first half of 2006, the port of Hong Kong handled 11.3 million TEUs of containers, representing an increase of 5% over the same period in 2005. Within this total, laden containers grew by 6% to 9.3 million TEUs, and empty containers went up by 3% to 2.0 million TEUs. For laden containers, both inward and outward containers rose by 6% to 4.6 million TEUs and 4.7 million TEUs respectively.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, laden container throughput increased by 4% in the second quarter of 2006, comprising increases of 3% and 6% respectively for inward and outward laden containers.
Seaborne laden containers increased by 6% over a year earlier to 3.6 million TEUs in the second quarter of 2006, and river laden containers went up by 9% to 1.3 million TEUs.
Within inward laden containers, imports surged by 13% to 1.0 million TEUs, and inward transhipment grew by 1% to 1.3 million TEUs in the second quarter of 2006. For outward laden containers, exports and outward transhipment grew by 8% and 7% to 1.2 million TEUs and 1.3 million TEUs respectively.
In the first half of 2006, seaborne laden containers increased by 4% to 6.7 million TEUs over the same period in 2005, and river laden containers also rose by 11% to 2.6 million TEUs.
Within inward laden containers, imports and inward transhipment amounted to 1.9 million TEUs and 2.7 million TEUs respectively in the first half of 2006, representing increases of 6% and 5% over the same period in 2005. For outward laden containers, both exports and outward transhipment increased by 6% to 2.2 million TEUs and 2.5 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 second quarter of 2006, the number of ocean vessel arrivals recorded virtually no change over a year earlier to 9 870, with the total capacity increasing by 6% to 86.4 million net registered tons. Over the same period, the number of river vessel arrivals rose by 2% to 48 650, with the total capacity increasing by 7% to 26.9 million net registered tons.
In the first half of 2006, the number of ocean vessel arrivals rose by 1% over a year earlier to 19 220, with the total capacity increasing by 8% to 170.3 million net registered tons. Over the same period, the number of river vessel arrivals went up by 3% over a year earlier to 96 100, with the total capacity increasing by 12% to 53.9 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 April-June 2006 issue of the report, in download version, will be available by the end of September. 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 September. Purchase can be done in person at the Publications Unit of the C&SD (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. 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, September 8, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:15
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