HONG Kong is a territory with a small land area and limited natural resources. However, her development has been much helped by her geographical position and the possession of a fine harbour.
Through the years, Hong Kong has become an important centre for the transportation of cargo. There are five modes of transportation in regard to cargo movements - by ocean-going vessels, river trade vessels, air, road and rail.
In 1983, the total gross weight of cargo discharged and loaded in Hong Kong was 40 million tonnes (one tonne being 1,000 kg). By 1992, this has nearly tripled to 118 million tonnes. Such a phenomenal growth in cargo throughput is very much a result of the rapid expansion in external trade.
Most of the cargo handled in Hong Kong is referred to as ''direct shipment''. However, there is some cargo which may only be using Hong Kong just as a point for ''transhipment''.
In such cases, cargo comes from a place outside Hong Kong and its destination is also a place outside Hong Kong.
While in Hong Kong, it is removed from one vessel (or vehicle) and transferred to another for the onward trip, without at any point being collected by traders.