Singapore regains world's busiest port tag

Hong Kong has lost its title as the world's busiest container port after recording growth of 1.2 per cent last year.

The port handled 14.7 million teu (20-ft equivalent units), against 15.1 million teu for Singapore.

The city state has regained the crown it lost to Hong Kong in 1992.

The Port of Singapore Authority reported growth of 7 per cent last year despite the regional economic slowdown.

Singapore handled 14.1 million teu in 1997.

Hong Kong marine director Tsui Shung-yiu said cargo throughput last year saw a slight drop of 0.5 per cent to 168.3 million tonnes, compared with 169.2 million tonnes in 1997.