The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) yesterday (June 8) released statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the first quarter of 2015.In the first quarter of 2015, total port cargo throughput decreased by 1% compared with the first quarter of 2014 to 68.4 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo decreased by 3% to 41.9 million tonnes, while outward port cargo increased by 3% to 26.5 million tonnes.

On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, total port cargo throughput decreased by 2% in the first quarter of 2015. Within this total, inward and outward port cargo dropped by 2% and 1% 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 cargo decreased by 5% compared with a year earlier to 45.8 million tonnes, while river cargo increased by 8% to 22.6 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2015.

Within inward port cargo, imports increased by 6% in the first quarter of 2015 compared with a year earlier to 25.8 million tonnes, while inward transhipment decreased by 15% to 16.1 million tonnes. For outward port cargo, exports (including domestic exports and re-exports) increased by 42% compared with a year earlier to 10.0 million tonnes, while outward transhipment decreased by 11% to 16.5 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 first quarter of 2015 with the first quarter of 2014, double-digit increases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Korea (+26%), Singapore (+15%) and Japan (+11%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Malaysia (-28%), Vietnam (-25%) and Indonesia (-12%).

For outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded in the tonnage discharged in the mainland of China (+14%) and the Philippines (+10%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in Korea (-26%), Taiwan (-26%), Japan (-18%) and the United States of America (-10%).

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

Comparing the first quarter of 2015 with the first quarter of 2014, a double-digit increase was recorded in inward port cargo of "petroleum, petroleum products and related materials; and coal, coke and briquettes" (+18%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit changes were recorded for "stone, sand and gravel; metalliferous ores and metal scrap; and pulp and waste paper" (+44%) and "iron and steel" (-12%).

Containers

In the first quarter of 2015, the port of Hong Kong handled 4.9 million TEUs of containers, representing a decrease of 7% compared with a year earlier.

Within this total, laden containers and empty containers decreased by 8% and 5% to 4.2 million TEUs and 0.7 million TEUs respectively. Among laden containers, inward and outward containers dropped by 9% and 6% respectively, both to 2.1 million TEUs.

On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, laden container throughput decreased by 2% in the first quarter of 2015. Within this total, inward laden containers decreased by 5%, while outward laden containers increased by 1%.

Seaborne laden containers decreased by 9% in the first quarter of 2015 compared with a year earlier to 3.1 million TEUs, while river laden containers decreased by 3% to 1.1 million TEUs.

Within inward laden containers, imports increased by 2% in the first quarter of 2015 compared with a year earlier to 0.6 million TEUs, while inward transhipment decreased by 14% to 1.4 million TEUs.

For outward laden containers, exports increased by 2% to 0.6 million TEUs, while outward transhipment decreased by 10% to 1.5 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 and agents to the C&SD.

Vessel arrivals

Comparing the first quarter of 2015 with the first quarter of 2014, the number of ocean vessel arrivals decreased by 1% to 7 360, with the total capacity increasing by 1% to 102.8 million net registered tons. The number of river vessel arrivals increased by 4% to 39 200, with the total capacity recording virtually no change at 25.6 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 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 January - March 2015 issue of the report will be available by the end of June.
Source: Hong Kong Government