HONG KONG's cargo volume in the port grew four per cent in the third quarter this year compared to the same period year reaching a total of 70.8 million tonnes, according to government statistics.

This was a four per cent increase in inbound port cargo to 40.4 million tonnes and six per cent rise in outbound cargo to 30.4 million tonnes, according to the Hong Kong Census & Statistics Department.

In containers, Hong Kong handled 6.4 million TEU in the third quarter, representing an increase of two per cent year on year. Laden boxes increased four per cent to 5.4 million TEU, while empties decreased five per cent to one million TEU.

During the first three quarters, the port of Hong Kong handled 18.2 million TEU, seeing a three per cent increase year on year. Laden containers rose four per cent to 15.4 million TEU, while empty boxes remained the same at 2.8 million TEU.

The number of ocean-vessel arrivals stayed the same to 8,260 compared to the number of the same period of 2010. The total capacity increased three per cent to 108.9 million net registered tons. But the number of river-vessel arrivals declined six per cent year on year to 42,850, with a six per cent decrease in the total capacity to 26.9 million net registered tons.

During the first three quarters, the number of ocean-vessel arrivals increased one per cent year on year to 24,370, with a seven per cent increase in the total capacity to 315.4 million net registered tons. The number of river-vessel arrivals dropped three per cent year on year to 129,900, while the total capacity remained the same at 81.2 million net registered tons.

From January to September, total port cargo throughput rose five per cent year on year to 206.9 million tonnes. Inbound cargo increased four per cent to 118.9 million tonnes and outward port cargo six per cent to 88 million tonnes.

Seaborne cargo was up nine per cent year on year to 50.9 million tonnes, while river cargo was down six per cent to 19.9 million tonnes in the third quarter. In the first nine months of the year, seaborne cargo increased eight per cent year on year to 145.4 million tonnes, while river cargo decreased two per cent to 61.5 million tonnes.