Hactl buoyant despite rising challenges

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

Export volume showed a year-on-year growth of 11.8 per cent and 5.1 per cent in March and in the first quarter, with tonnage reaching 132,052 tonnes and 330,690 tonnes, respectively.

There are early signs of a weakening US economy, although export tonnages to the US remained at a healthy level, with a growth of 19.6 per cent year-on-year in March and 6.1 per cent in the first quarter. The export volume to Europe increased by 16.6 per cent and 8.4 per cent 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 per cent year-on-year, while cumulative import tonnage for the first quarter was 163,420 tonnes, up 0.9 per cent against the same period last 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.”