Hong Kong places third after Shanghai, Singapore in box port rankings
Hong Kong harbour handled 5.7 million TEU in the first quarter, representing an increase of four per cent year on year, according to the HK Census and Statistics Department.
Within this total, laden containers rose seven per cent year on year to 4.9 million TEU, with imports up six per cent to 2.4 million TEU and exports up seven per cent to 2.4 million TEU. Empty containers fell eight per cent to 800,000 million TEU.
Hong Kong total cargo throughput increased by three per cent over a year earlier to 64.5 million tonnes, while outbound volume increased seven per cent.
In the first quarter of 2012, the city's total port cargo throughput increased three per cent over a year earlier to 64.5 million tonnes. Within this total, inbound cargo showed no change at 35.9 million tonnes, while outbound cargo increased seven per cent to 28.6 million tonnes.
Hong Kong's total container throughput fell below the world's top port of Shanghai which handled 7.57 million TEU in the first quarter, meaning the mainland port has hung on to its top spot as the world's busiest box port.
Close behind at 7.54 million TEU was Singapore, which for many years had been Hong Kong's arch-rival before Shanghai's rapid rise in recent years to take the number one spot.
On the other hand, Shanghai' s growth rate decreased to four per cent during the first quarter, down from growth of 9.2 per cent in the same period in 2011.
According to an Alphaliner report, the world's top 25 container ports handled an estimated 75 million TEU in the first quarter, up six per cent year on year.
But the Paris-based consultancy said volume growth at almost all major ports has slowed since last year, when full-year liftings rose 8.2 per cent.
Among major ports, the biggest gains posted were from Dalian, up 25.5 per cent in the first quarter while Jakarta's volume increased 13.6 per cent.
Dalian's result was driven by strong cargo demand in north China, which has been less affected by slowing exports compared to ports in south China, Alphaliner said.
The only major port to suffer a decline in container throughput was Rotterdam because of the financial crisis in Europe slowed growth of imports and reduced the number of empty containers handled at the port. Ports in Antwerp and Hamburg were also hit by weakening European demand, with below average growth of 0.5 per cent and 5.2 per cent respectively.
Bremerhaven was the only leading European port to achieve double-digit growth of 13.6 in the first quarter, which was mainly attributed to a shift in European port volumes especially, from Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).