Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) announced its air cargo tonnage throughput for August 2009. The overall cargo volume was picking up gradually. A total of 206,810 tons were handled in the month, representing a relatively milder year-on-year drop of 6.2%. Cumulative tonnage from January to August was 1,411,725 tons, down 17.9% compared with the same period last year.

Export volume in August'declined 10.1% against last year to 107,946 tons. Aggregate export volume for the first eight months was 725,439 tons, down 22.3% compared with the same period last year.

The import volume for August showed signs of improvement, with 55,973 tons registered, representing a positive growth of 4.0% against August last year. Aggregate import volume for the first eight months was 381,912 tons, representing a decline of 14.9% year-on-year.

Transshipment volume for August and for the first eight months were 42,891 tons and 304,374 tons respectively, representing a 8.2% and 9.3% decline year-on-year for the respective periods.

The summary of the export, import and transshipment volumes is tabulated as follows:

Tonnage handled by Hactl in August and January to August 2009:

' August 2009 Jan to August 2009 (Cumulative)
' Tonnage
(in tons)		 Year-on-Year
Growth		 Tonnage
(in tons)		 Year-on-Year
Growth
Export 107,946 -10.1% 725,439 -22.3%
Import 55,973 4.0% 381,912 -14.9%
Transshipments 42,891 -8.2% 304,374 -9.3%
Total 206,810 -6.2% 1,411,725 -17.9%