Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) today released its tonnage figures for June, the second quarter and the first half of 2009.
A total of 187,955 tonnes were handled in June, down 14.4% year-on-year. Tonnage throughput for the second quarter and for the first half of the year was 540,744 tonnes and 1,003,758 tonnes, representing a year-on-year decrease of 18.5% and 21.5% respectively.
Import volume for June registered an 11.0% decline on a year-on-year basis to 51,137 tonnes. Aggregate import volume for the second quarter was 147,523 tonnes, down 15.5%. Cumulative import tonnage for the first half of the year was 270,482 tonnes, down 20.0% against the same period last year. Market outlook for western countries continues to be gloomy: import volume from Europe and the
Export volume was 96,792 tonnes for June and 277,413 tonnes for the second quarter, representing a drop of 18.2% and 23.7% year-on-year for the respective periods. Cumulative export tonnage for the first half of the year was 514,179 tonnes, down 25.9% against the same period last year. Export volume to Europe and the USA for the first half of year still recorded a sharp fall of 29.1% and 25.8% year-on-year respectively, while export cargoes to Middle East and Africa registered an encouraging growth of 11.0% and 15.3% year-on-year respectively.
The transshipment volume was 40,026 tonnes for June, and 115,808 tonnes for the second quarter, representing a year-on-year decrease of 8.4% and 8.0% for the respective periods. Total transshipment volume for the first six months was 219,097 tonnes, down 11.1% year-on-year.
Ms Lilian Chan, General Manager, Marketing and Customer Service said, “Cargo throughput is generally a good indicator of the economy. Whilst the first half of 2009 has in general been difficult, it is delightful to observe the relatively stabilised tonnage performance over the past few months. Looking beyond the economic crisis, it is more important for us to maintain a closer touch with our customers and support our business partners in an even more flexible and efficient manner, working together to reinforce Hong Kong’s role as the region’s preferred air cargo hub.”
Source: Transport Weekly