Total port cargo throughput increased 3% in the third quarter to 51.8 million tonnes, over the same period last year.

Within this total, inward port cargo rose 1% to 31.5 million tonnes, while outward port cargo rose 5% to 20.3 million tonnes.

On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, total port cargo throughput was up 3%. Within this total, both inward and outward port cargo rose 3%.

Hong Kong's port handled 5.3 million TEUs of containers, up 1% on last year. Within this total, laden containers rose 2% to 4.2 million TEUs, but empty containers were down 6% to 1 million TEUs.

On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, laden container throughput was down 1%. Within this, inward laden containers fell 1%, while outward laden containers remained unchanged.

The number of ocean vessel arrivals were up 7% to 9, 000, with the total capacity increasing 8% to 76.7 million net registered tons.