Hactl releases tonnage throughput

Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) announced today its tonnage throughput for March and the first quarter of 2008.  A total of 236,619 tonnes were handled in March, representing a year-on-year increase of 9.4%. Cumulative tonnage for the first quarter was 614,533 tonnes, up 6.5% year-on-year.

Export volume showed a year-on-year growth of 11.8% and 5.1% in March and in the first quarter, with tonnage reaching 132,052 tonnes and 330,690 tonnes respectively.  Albeit early signs of a weakening US economy, export tonnage to the US remains fairly decent, with a growth of 19.6% year-on-year in March and 6.1% in the first quarter.  The export volume to Europe increased by 16.6% and 8.4% year-on-year in March and in the first quarter respectively.

A total of 59,146 tonnes of import cargo were handled in March, recording a drop of 1.5% year-on-year, while cumulative import tonnage for the first quarter was 163,420 tonnes, up 0.9% against the same period last year.

Transshipment volume for March increased 19.1% year-on-year to 45,421 tonnes, which followed the pattern in the previous months. Total transshipment volume from January to March was 120,423 tonnes, representing a 20.1% increase year-on-year.

“While there are still some signs of growth in various cargo sectors handled by Hactl throughout the course of the first quarter, the challenges ahead are not to be overlooked, in particular the creeping fuel price which is becoming a major concern to all players in the cargo supply chain,” said Lilian Chan, General Manager of Marketing and Customer Service. “Apart from that, the sub-prime situation in the US and the associated possible turbulences affecting the world economies will impact upon the cargo outlook in the coming months. As the leading cargo player in the region, Hactl will commit to continuous innovation, providing customer-oriented and total cargo solutions to our customers and getting ourselves prepared to take up all challenges together with our business partners.”

Source: Transportweekly