Level of sea traffic up in HK

Hong Kong Government figures say ocean-going port traffic grew 5 per cent in the first three months of the year while total capacity grew 8 per cent.

The statistics show 10,404 vessels, with a total capacity of 46.8 million tonnes, entered the port between January and March.

In all, 10,411 vessels, with a total capacity of 47 million tonnes, departed.

Officials estimate inbound cargo increased by 3 per cent to 20.4 million tonnes, of which 81 per cent were imports and 19 per cent transshipment freight.

About 55 per cent was containerised.

The amount of exported cargo rose by 8 per cent to 9.5 million tonnes compared with the same period last year.