HACTL 1st half year traffic results

HONG Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL), announced its tonnage throughput for June, the second quarter and the first half of year 2008.
A total of 219,502 tonnes were handled in June, representing a year-on-year growth of 2.5 per cent. Tonnage throughput for the second quarter and for the first half of the year was 663,858 tonnes and 1,278,391 tonnes, representing a year-on-year growth of 5.4 per cent and 5.9 per cent respectively.
Export volume was 118,321 tonnes for June and 363,372 tonnes for the second quarter, registering a year-on-year growth of 0.1 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively. Volume exported to the US and Europe registered a slight growth of 2.2 per cent and 3.3 per cent in the second quarter respectively, underlying a continuous slower growth trend for exports to both markets. Export volume growth to Mainland China remains fairly stable, registering a growth of 7.3 per cent in the second quarter. Cumulative export tonnage for the first half of the year was 694,062 tonnes, up 4.1 per cent against the same period last year.
A total of 57,461 tonnes and 174,594 tonnes of import cargo were handled in June and in the second quarter, representing a 0.7 per cent decrease and a 5.3 per cent increase year-on-year for the respective periods. Import volume from the US registered a rather strong growth of 19.2 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter as a result of the weak US dollar; while another major import market, Europe only showed a slight increase of 1.2 per cent. Import volume from Mainland China registered a growth of 5.4 per cent in the second quarter. Cumulative import tonnage for the first half of the year was 338,014 tonnes, up 3.1 per cent against the same period last year.
Transhipment cargo continues to be the main driving force behind the steady cargo growth. The transhipment volume was 43,720 tonnes for June and 125,892 tonnes for the second quarter, representing a year-on-year increase of 15.1 per cent and 12.4 per cent for the respective periods. Total transhipment volume for the first six months was 246,315 tonnes, up 16 per cent year-on-year.
Lilian Chan, general manager, marketing and customer service, said: “The slowing US economy and high fuel prices continue to pose impacts on the cargo traffic around the globe. Despite the possibility of resulting contraction in carrier traffic amidst an uncertain industry outlook, we will strive to continuously enhance SuperTerminal 1’s facilities as well as further uplifting our cargo handling services, ensuring we meet the ongoing market challenges and supporting the growth of our customers.”