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HONG KONG,
10th April 2001. Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (Hactl)
reported a reduction in our cargo throughput in the first quarter
of 2001 compared with the same period of the previous year,
primarily as a result of a softening in import demand in the
United States and most of Hong Kong's other markets.
In March
Hactl handled a total of 144,441 tonnes – a reduction of
5.5% from the same month in 2000. The tonnage for the year to
date was 368,865, a fall of 3.8% against the corresponding period
for 2000.
"Though
disappointing after experiencing 2 years of double digit growth
in 1999 and 2000, these figures are not (entirely) surprising
given the slowdown presently being experienced in most of Hong
Kong's key export markets. The slowdown in U.S. and related
destocking has been particularly significant, with volumes exported
to that country handled by Hactl in the first quarter declining
14.1% year on year", said Mark Ashall, Hactl's Director
Marketing and Customer Service. Smaller declines in exports
to Europe, down by 5.3% year on year, and increases in exports
to mainland China, up 17.4%, and Japan, up 4.3%, however, meant
that export volumes overall were down by 8.1%.
On a brighter
note import volumes remained more stable with increased volume
from Europe, mainland China and South East Asia largely offsetting
the impact of declines from Japan and the USA.
"While
the months of January to March are often a poor indicator of
the prospects for the year, there is, at present, no sign that
Hong Kong will achieve a third consecutive year of growth in
air cargo volume," said Mr Ashall. "For its part Hactl
is striving to attract additional volume by participating in
initiatives which streamline the shipping process between Hong
Kong and its manufacturing base in its hinterland." The
most recent initiative is the establishment of a Marine Cargo
Terminal adjacent to the airport at Chek Lap Kok by Chu Kong
Air-Sea Union Transportation Co. Ltd. (CKSA), a joint venture
between Chu Kong Shipping and Hactl's subsidiary Hacis. With
the opening of the terminal on March 28th direct
barging services are available between the Hong Kong Airport
and 16 ports in the Pearl River Delta in southern China.
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HACTL'S
TONNAGE FOR THE FIRST QUARTER 2001
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|
Tonnes*
|
Import
|
Export
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Transshipment
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Total
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Jan
01
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42,996
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-12.8%
|
51,494
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-19.1%
|
14,296
|
1.2%
|
108,786
|
-14.4%
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Feb
01
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46,133
|
13.5%
|
52,644
|
8.7%
|
16,861
|
17.9%
|
115,638
|
11.8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Mar
01
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52,449
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-2.6%
|
71,329
|
-9.6%
|
20,663
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2.3%
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144,441
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-5.5%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Cumulative
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141,578
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-1.6%
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175,467
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-8.1%
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51,820
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6.6%
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368,865
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-3.8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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*
1 tonnes = 1,000 kgs
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-
end -
Media
Enquiry:
Mark
Ashall, Director Marketing and Customer Service Tel: (852)
2753 2002
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