Hong Kong port operators including Hutchison Whampoa Ltd and PSA International Pte handled 8.8 per cent fewer boxes in March, the biggest drop in nine months, as China's trade growth slowed and shippers opted for cheaper mainland harbours.
Cargo volume in Hong Kong, the world's second-busiest container port, fell to 1.87 million 20-foot boxes last month, according to preliminary figures posted on the Port Development Council's web site. That would be the biggest fall since an 11 per cent drop in June. Traffic in the first three months of the year climbed 2.3 per cent to 5.5 million containers.
Hong Kong's growth has slowed because of competition from mainland ports including its neighbour Shenzhen and Shanghai. China's exports also grew at the slowest pace in five years in March.
Cargo volume in Hong Kong, the world's second-busiest container port, fell to 1.87 million 20-foot boxes last month, according to preliminary figures posted on the Port Development Council's web site. That would be the biggest fall since an 11 per cent drop in June. Traffic in the first three months of the year climbed 2.3 per cent to 5.5 million containers.
Hong Kong's growth has slowed because of competition from mainland ports including its neighbour Shenzhen and Shanghai. China's exports also grew at the slowest pace in five years in March.