Hactl hits record air cargo tonnage in 2010

Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) handled a record-breaking 2,899,603 tonnes last year, a year-on-year growth of almost 25 percent.

The rapid recovery of air freight saw the terminal blow through pre-crisis throughput levels, handling an incredible 14.5 percent more cargo than in 2008 and even beating the 2007 high of 2.6 million tonnes.

"2010 has been an extraordinary year of roller coaster recovery from the global economic downturn," said Lilian Chan, executive director of Hactl.

"Not only did our annual tonnage result reach pre-crisis level, but we also managed to achieve a number of new handling records that made 2010 a year of unprecedented success for our team here at Hactl."

In December, a total of 249,694 tonnes were handled, representing a 7.4 percent year-on-year increase over 2009. Tonnage handled in the fourth quarter was 765,677, an increase of 9.5 percent.

"The growth in air freight demand continued all the way through 2010, although we saw a milder growth in the third and fourth quarter due to the higher base effect in the second half of 2009."

Market export demand stayed strong throughout the year as a result of the robust economic recovery. Export tonnage in December showed a year-on-year growth of 4.8 percent, with a total of 132,904 tonnes being handled.

Export tonnage for the fourth quarter was 423,825 tonnes, up 8.5 percent against the same period in 2009. Export volume to Europe and the US for the fourth quarter increased 7.0 percent and 14.5 percent against the same period in 2009 respectively.

Aggregate export tonnage for the whole year reached 1,589,223 tonnes, indicating a year-on-year growth of 28.9 percent.

A total of 65,032 tonnes and 187,046 tonnes of import cargo were handled in December and in the fourth quarter, down 0.5 percent and up one percent respectively against same period in 2009.

With the relatively weaker US currency, import volume from U.S. was picking up quickly throughout the whole year of 2010 - import throughput from U.S. saw a 40.6 percent year-on-year increase compared to the whole year of 2009.

Import volume from Europe in 2010 also showed a year-on-year growth of 24.1 percent. The total import tonnage for the whole year was 741,943 tonnes, up 18.8 percent against 2009.

Transshipment volume for December was 51,758 tonnes, up 28.3 percent against the same month in 2009. Cumulative transshipment tonnage for the fourth quarter was 154,806 tonnes, up 25.1 percent year-on-year. Total transshipment volume for the whole year was 568,437 tonnes, a year-on-year growth of 22 percent.

"Asian carriers are in a strong position as a result of the exploding demand in China where consumer sentiment is high," said Chan.

"With strong prospects for air freight in the region, we are well prepared for another busy year. This year Hong Kong proudly unfolds a new chapter of being the world's No 1 air cargo hub in terms of total air cargo volume handled."
(Source:www.cargonewsasia.com)