Hong Kong port operators including Hutchison Whampoa Ltd and PSA International Pte handled 1.6 per cent fewer boxes in April, a second straight decline, as competition from mainland Chinese ports increased.
Cargo volume in Hong Kong, the world's second-busiest container port last year, fell to 1.97 million 20-foot boxes last month from a year earlier, according to preliminary figures posted on the Port Development Council's website. In the first fourth months, volume was little changed at 7.41 million boxes.
Hong Kong's growth has slowed because of competition from mainland ports including Shenzhen and Shanghai. Trucking a 20-foot container from a factory in southern China and shipping it from Hong Kong costs US$333 more on average than moving it out of the neighbouring port of Shenzhen, according to a study commissioned by the Hong Kong government.
Singapore overtook Hong Kong as the world's busiest container port in 2005. The city handled 2.22 million containers last month, up 13 per cent from a year earlier, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
Shanghai also surpassed Hong Kong in the first quarter, as it boosted volume 28 per cent to 5.88 million boxes.
Volumes at Hong Kong's Kwai Tsing terminals, where more than 60 per cent of the city's sea cargo is processed, rose 11 per cent in April.
Hutchison Whampoa and PSA International, the world's two largest port operators, have a venture that manages 11 berths at the terminals. They also have a separate venture with Cosco Pacific Ltd that manages two other berths.
Cargo volume in Hong Kong, the world's second-busiest container port last year, fell to 1.97 million 20-foot boxes last month from a year earlier, according to preliminary figures posted on the Port Development Council's website. In the first fourth months, volume was little changed at 7.41 million boxes.
Hong Kong's growth has slowed because of competition from mainland ports including Shenzhen and Shanghai. Trucking a 20-foot container from a factory in southern China and shipping it from Hong Kong costs US$333 more on average than moving it out of the neighbouring port of Shenzhen, according to a study commissioned by the Hong Kong government.
Singapore overtook Hong Kong as the world's busiest container port in 2005. The city handled 2.22 million containers last month, up 13 per cent from a year earlier, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
Shanghai also surpassed Hong Kong in the first quarter, as it boosted volume 28 per cent to 5.88 million boxes.
Volumes at Hong Kong's Kwai Tsing terminals, where more than 60 per cent of the city's sea cargo is processed, rose 11 per cent in April.
Hutchison Whampoa and PSA International, the world's two largest port operators, have a venture that manages 11 berths at the terminals. They also have a separate venture with Cosco Pacific Ltd that manages two other berths.