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The Census and Statistics Department today (September 7) released statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the second quarter of 2007.
In the second quarter of 2007, total port cargo throughput increased by 7% over a year earlier to 63.8 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo rose by 5% to 37.3 million tonnes, while outward port cargo went up by 10% to 26.6 million tonnes.
For the first half of 2007, total port cargo throughput increased by 3% over a year earlier to 118.8 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo decreased slightly by 1% to 69.7 million tonnes, while outward port cargo grew by 8% to 49.1 million tonnes.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, total port cargo throughput increased by 11% in the second quarter of 2007. Within this total, inward and outward port cargo rose by 12% and 9% respectively. 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 increased by 10% and 1% over a year earlier to 46.3 million tonnes and 17.5 million tonnes respectively in the second quarter of 2007.
Within inward port cargo, imports recorded virtually no change over a year earlier to 21.0 million tonnes, while inward transhipment increased by 12% to 16.2 million tonnes in the second quarter of 2007. For outward port cargo, exports (including domestic exports and re-exports) decreased by 14% over a year earlier to 8.8 million tonnes, while outward transhipment went up by 28% to 17.8 million tonnes.
Within port cargo, seaborne cargo increased by 6% in the first half of 2007 over a year earlier to 85.6 million tonnes, while river cargo decreased by 4% to 33.1 million tonnes.
Within inward port cargo, imports decreased by 8% in the first half of 2007 over a year earlier to 38.5 million tonnes, while inward transhipment rose by 9% to 31.2 million tonnes. For outward port cargo, exports decreased by 13% to 16.4 million tonnes, while outward transhipment went up by 23% to 32.6 million tonnes.
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 2007 with the second quarter of 2006, double-digit increases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Indonesia (+47%), the Philippines (+18%) and the mainland of China (+12%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Malaysia (-11%). Over the same period, double-digit increases were registered in the tonnage of outward port cargo for discharge in the Philippines (+48%), Vietnam (+47%), Indonesia (+47%), Germany (+16%) and Japan (+11%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in the United States (-17%).
Comparing the first half of 2007 with the same period in 2006, a double-digit increase was recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in the Philippines (+12%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Thailand (-10%). Over the same period, double-digit increases were registered in the tonnage of outward port cargo for discharge in Vietnam (+68%), Indonesia (+52%), the Philippines (+49%), Malaysia (+21%), Germany (+16%), Japan (+15%) and Thailand (+13%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo for discharge in the United States (-18%).
The principal commodities for inward and outward port cargo are shown in Table 4 and Table 5.
Comparing the second quarter of 2007 with the second quarter of 2006, double-digit increases were recorded in inward port cargo of "coal, coke and briquettes" (+51%), "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+28%) and "iron and steel" (+22%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded for "stone, sand and gravel" (-19%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded for "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+26%), "iron and steel" (+17%), "machinery" (+14%), "tools, cutlery, metal household ware and manufactures" (+12%) and "paper and paper products" (+10%).
Comparing the first half of 2007 with the same period in 2006, double-digit increases were recorded in inward port cargo of "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+26%) and "iron and steel" (+15%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded for "stone, sand and gravel" (-25%) and "coal, coke and briquettes" (-11%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded for "iron and steel" (+18%), "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (+15%), "machinery" (+12%) and "articles of apparel and clothing accessories" (+11%).
Containers
In the second quarter of 2007, the port of Hong Kong handled 6.1 million TEUs of containers, representing an increase of 4% over a year earlier. Within this total, laden containers rose by 5% to 5.1 million TEUs, and empty containers recorded virtually no change to 1.0 million TEUs. Among laden containers, inward and outward containers grew by 4% and 5% to 2.4 million TEUs and 2.6 million TEUs respectively.
In the first half of 2007, the port of Hong Kong handled 11.5 million TEUs of containers, representing an increase of 2% over the same period in 2006. Within this total, laden containers grew by 3% to 9.6 million TEUs, while empty containers decreased by 2% to 2.0 million TEUs. For laden containers, inward and outward containers rose by 1% and 5% to 4.6 million TEUs and 4.9 million TEUs respectively.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, laden container throughput increased by 8% in the second quarter of 2007, comprising increases of 10% and 6% respectively for inward and outward laden containers.
Seaborne laden containers grew by 6% in the second quarter of 2007 over a year earlier to 3.8 million TEUs, while river laden containers increased by 1% to 1.3 million TEUs.
Within inward laden containers, imports decreased by 5% in the second quarter of 2007 over a year earlier to 1.0 million TEUs, while inward transhipment grew by 11% to 1.5 million TEUs. For outward laden containers, exports decreased by 14% to 1.0 million TEUs, while outward transhipment went up by 23% to 1.6 million TEUs.
In the first half of 2007, seaborne laden containers increased by 5% to 7.1 million TEUs over the same period in 2006, while river laden containers decreased by 2% to 2.5 million TEUs.
Within inward laden containers, imports decreased by 6% in the first half of 2007 over a year earlier to 1.8 million TEUs, while inward transhipment rose by 6% to 2.8 million TEUs. For outward laden containers, exports decreased by 12% to 2.0 million TEUs, while outward transhipment went up by 20% to 3.0 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 second quarter of 2007, the number of ocean vessel arrivals decreased by 7% over a year earlier to 9 140, with the total capacity increasing by 7% to 92.1 million net registered tons. Over the same period, the number of river vessel arrivals decreased slightly by 1% to 48 310, with the total capacity decreasing by 5% to 25.6 million net registered tons.
In the first half of 2007, the number of ocean vessel arrivals decreased by 3% over a year earlier to 18 650, with the total capacity increasing by 6% to 179.9 million net registered tons. Over the same period, the number of river vessel arrivals decreased by 2% over a year earlier to 94 440, with the total capacity decreasing by 2% to 52.9 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 2007 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 Website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/products/publications/index.jsp).
Print version of this publication will also be available for sale at HK$60 per issue by the end of September. 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 (www.statisticalbookstore.gov.hk) and the Government Bookstore of the Information Services Department (www.bookstore.gov.hk). 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, September 7, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:16
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