Hactl announces tonnage throughput for Q3 2012

A strong September 2012 result for Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) – the major air cargo handler at the world’s largest air cargo hub – has seen the company pull ahead by the best year-on-year growth since January 2011.

Exports in the month were up 2.0% at 123,343 tonnes – the best increase since the post Chinese New Year bounce of March 2012. Imports were up 9.3% at 58,264 tonnes – the best growth since January 2012. Transhipments meanwhile were up 13.6% on 2011 at 56,154 tonnes, continuing the strong trend of the past year. The month’s total of 237,761 tonnes was the highest monthly throughput since March, and additionally marked the best year-on-year growth (6.3%) since February.

The third quarter of 2012 saw Hactl handle a total of 697,791 tonnes – the strongest quarter of 2012 so far, and the second highest result since the final three months of 2010’s bumper year.

Results for 2012 to date were also positive: the cumulative January-September total of 2,023,293 tonnes was 0.7% up on the same period of 2011 – marking the best year-on-year cumulative growth recorded in any month since January 2011.

Says Lilian Chan, Executive Director of Hactl: “2012 continues to look positive, and to show better results than we originally anticipated. The figures for the second and third quarters are very encouraging, and the totals for the year so far would be even stronger had it not been for a disappointing start to 2012.

“Exports from China are proving more resilient than many predicted, imports are looking better again, and transhipments continue to play an increasingly important part in our overall throughput, endorsing Hong Kong’s growing role as Asia’s cargo hub.

“Barring unforeseeable events, 2012 should end better than expected. The slow but steady recovery in our figures also gives us reason to believe that 2013 trends should continue positively, and that we are back to sustained – if modest – overall industry growth again.”

She concludes: “With the progressive switch of our largest customer to self-handling throughout 2013, it is good to see organic growth among our other carriers, which we believe should continue next year. With initiatives such as the development of our Hacis road feeder operations, and the recent launch of our development and professional services business HACTL Development Holdings Limited (HDHL), we are well prepared for the important task of creating new revenue sources in 2013.”

Tonnage handled by Hactl in September, the third quarter and the first nine months of 2012