HONGKONG'S container traffic leapt 30 per cent last year, taking it back to the position of busiest container port in the world.
Container throughput was 7.97 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last year, up 29.4 per cent on 6.16 million TEUs in 1991.
Although official figures on Singapore's container throughput for last year are not available yet, it is believed that Hongkong has overtaken Singapore as the busiest container port in the world, if only by a small margin.
Mr John Sherman, Assistant Director of Marine, said the results showed a startling increase over 1991. The average increase remained steady, at more than 20 per cent, throughout the year, indicating continuing strong growth.
''In particular, the total throughput of loaded TEUs - that is export and/or re-export cargo - shows the same startling growth rate, which is also 28.6 per cent, and clearly reflects sustained local business confidence in the face of continuing world recession,'' he said.
Mr Tony Clark, secretary of the Port Development Board (PDB), said the throughput figures reflected Hongkong's growing economy and that of south China in 1992.