Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) announced its tonnage throughput for March and the first quarter of 2010. A total of 244,087 tons were handled in March, representing a year-on-year growth of 30.8%. Tonnage throughput in the last week of March also hit an all-time high. Cumulative tonnage for the first quarter is 636,743 tons, up 37.5% year-on-year.

Export volume showed a year-on-year growth of 36.1% and 42.9% in March and in the first quarter, with volumes reaching 131,349 tons and 338,446 tons respectively.

A total of 63,740 tons of import cargo were handled in March, representing an increase of 33.5% year-on-year, while cumulative import tonnage for the first quarter was 174,569 tons, up 42% against the same period last year.

Transshipment volume for March increased 15.7% year-on-year to 48,998 tons. Total transshipment volume from January to March was 123,728 tons, representing an increase of 19.8% year-on-year.

Lilian Chan, General Manager, Marketing and Customer Service said, 'We are thrilled to have achieved record high weekly tonnage results. While we believe that the strong volumes reflect the consistent recovery of world economy as a result of resuming stocking needs and consumer sentiments, we will not underestimate the potential challenges ahead. Long-term prospects would very much depend on the overall global economic climate.'

The import, export and transshipment volumes for March and the first quarter of 2010 are tabulated below:

Tonnage handled by Hactl in March and January to March 2010:

' March-10 Jan to Mar 2010
(Cumulative)
' Tonnage
(in tonnes)		 Year-on-Year Tonnage
(in tonnes)		 Year-on-Year
Export 131,349 36.10% 338,446 42.90%
Import 63,740 33.50% 174,569 42.00%
Transshipment 48,998 15.70% 123,728 19.80%
Total 244,087 30.80% 636,743 37.50%