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The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (March 8) released statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the fourth quarter of 2006.
In the fourth quarter of 2006, total port cargo throughput increased by 3% over a year earlier to 60.8 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo recorded virtually no change over a year earlier to 35.9 million tonnes, while outward port cargo rose by 7% to 25.0 million tonnes.
For 2006 as a whole, total port cargo throughput increased by 4% over a year earlier to 238.2 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo recorded virtually no change to 141.5 million tonnes, while outward port cargo went up by 8% to 96.7 million tonnes.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, total port cargo throughput decreased by 1% in the fourth quarter of 2006. Within this total, inward port cargo increased by 2%, while outward port cargo decreased by 5%. 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 increased by 7% over a year earlier to 43.3 million tonnes, while river cargo decreased by 5% to 17.5 million tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Within inward port cargo, imports decreased by 11% over a year earlier to 18.9 million tonnes, while inward transhipment surged by 16% to 16.9 million tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2006. For outward port cargo, exports (including domestic exports and re-exports) decreased by 12% over a year earlier to 8.9 million tonnes, while outward transhipment soared by 22% to 16.1 million tonnes.
Within port cargo, seaborne and river cargo increased by 3% and 5% in 2006 over 2005 to 166.2 million tonnes and 72.0 million tonnes respectively.
Within inward port cargo, imports decreased by 4% in 2006 over 2005 to 81.4 million tonnes, while inward transhipment increased by 6% to 60.1 million tonnes. For outward port cargo, exports and outward transhipment grew by 6% and 10% to 39.2 million tonnes and 57.5 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 fourth quarter of 2006 with the fourth quarter of 2005, double-digit increases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Australia (+56%) and Korea (+33%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Indonesia (-19%) and Japan (-14%). Over the same period, double-digit increases were registered in the tonnage of outward port cargo for discharge in Vietnam (+56%), Germany (+38%), the Philippines (+33%), Malaysia (+22%) and Thailand (+13%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in the United States (-28%) and Macao (-22%).
Comparing 2006 with 2005, a double-digit increase was recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Australia (+10%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Singapore (-11%) and Indonesia (-10%). Over the same period, double-digit increases were registered in the tonnage of outward port cargo for discharge in Vietnam (+22%), Germany (+20%), Malaysia (+16%) and the Philippines (+13%). On the other hand, a double-digit decrease was recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in the United States (-11%).
The principal commodities for inward and outward port cargo are shown in Table 4 and Table 5.
Comparing the fourth quarter of 2006 with the fourth quarter of 2005, double-digit increases were recorded in inward port cargo of "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (+28%) and "iron and steel" (+24%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded for "stone, sand and gravel" (-25%), "coal, coke and briquettes" (-25%) and "pulp and waste paper" (-11%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded for "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (+33%), "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+31%), "tools, cutlery, metal household ware and manufactures" (+22%) and "artificial resins and plastic materials" (+15%).
Comparing 2006 with 2005, double-digit increases were recorded in inward port cargo of "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+13%), "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (+11%) and "pulp and waste paper" (+11%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded for "coal, coke and briquettes" (-11%) and "paper and paper products" (-10%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded for "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+32%), "bricks, ceramic tile and refractory construction materials" (+21%), "pulp and waste paper" (+16%), "tools, cutlery, metal household ware and manufactures" (+14%), "textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles and related products" (+12%) and "artificial resins and plastic materials" (+11%).
Containers
In the fourth quarter of 2006, the port of Hong Kong handled 6.2 million TEUs of containers, representing an increase of 5% over a year earlier. Within this total, both laden and empty containers rose by 5% to 5.0 million TEUs and 1.1 million TEUs respectively. Among laden containers, inward and outward containers grew by 4% and 6% over a year earlier to 2.4 million TEUs and 2.6 million TEUs respectively.
In 2006, the port of Hong Kong handled 23.5 million TEUs of containers, representing an increase of 4% over 2005. Within this total, laden and empty containers went up by 5% and 1% to 19.3 million TEUs and 4.2 million TEUs respectively. For laden containers, inward and outward containers rose by 4% and 5% to 9.4 million TEUs and 10.0 million TEUs respectively.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, laden container throughput increased by 3% in the fourth quarter of 2006, comprising increases of 5% and 2% respectively for inward and outward laden containers.
Seaborne laden containers rose by 7% over a year earlier to 3.7 million TEUs in the fourth quarter of 2006, while river laden containers recorded virtually no change to 1.3 million TEUs.
Within inward laden containers, imports decreased by 4% over a year earlier to 0.9 million TEUs in the fourth quarter of 2006, while inward transhipment went up by 10% to 1.5 million TEUs. For outward laden containers, exports decreased by 10% to 1.1 million TEUs, while outward transhipment surged by 21% to 1.5 million TEUs.
Seaborne laden containers increased by 4% to 14.1 million TEUs in 2006 and river laden containers also rose by 7% over 2005 to 5.2 million TEUs.
Within inward laden containers, imports and inward transhipment amounted to 3.9 million TEUs and 5.5 million TEUs respectively in 2006, representing increases of 3% and 5% over 2005. For outward laden containers, exports decreased slightly by 1% to 4.5 million TEUs, while outward transhipment increased by 12% to 5.5 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 fourth quarter of 2006, the number of ocean vessel arrivals decreased by 2% over a year earlier to 9 770, with the total capacity increasing by 6% to 88.9 million net registered tons. Over the same period, the number of river vessel arrivals decreased by 4% to 47 800, with the total capacity increasing by 6% to 28.4 million net registered tons.
In 2006, the number of ocean vessel arrivals recorded virtually no change over 2005 to 39 020, with the total capacity increasing by 7% to 346.6 million net registered tons. Over the same period, the number of river vessel arrivals recorded virtually no change to 191 940, with the total capacity increasing by 9% to 109.8 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 October-December 2006 issue of the report, in download version, will be available by the end of March. 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 March. 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/Thursday, March 8, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:15
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