Hong Kong’s container volumes have been falling continuously since the beginning of this year, according to Hong Kong’s Marine Department. The decline continued in the past three months with September throughput at 1.67 million TEUs, down 6.7% compared to the previous year, August at 1.73 million TEUs, down 9.8% and July at 1.84 million TEUs, down 4.8%. For the year to date total volume was 15,484 million TEUs, down 8.1%. Jessie Chung, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Container Terminal Operators Association, said, “While there is no substantial congestion at the Port of Hong Kong so far this year, to safeguard and capitalize Hong Kong port’s competitive advantages, the Hong Kong Government has a critical role to play in enabling the container port industry to thrive through different policies and infrastructure support.” “We are encouraged that the Government is pushing ahead a new land use and barge berth strategy to support the container port industry. The Government has planned to integrate adjacent land sites into the container terminals so as to provide more yard space and barge berths to support port operators in meeting future throughput growth.’’ Vessel Rotations Concerning the ship bunching on the weekend, she said, “The shipping lines can help by leveling their rotations across the week.” In regards to crane utilization, she said, “Increasing the crane utilization rate does not necessarily mean increasing the operational efficiency and productivity. In order to increase the crane rate, it will require tight collaboration and communication. Support from the [Hong Kong] Government for additional terminal back-up land and dedicated barge berths will also improve the overall efficiency and the vessel productivity at port.” The Kwai Chung-Tsing Container Terminals handle around 79% of the port’s total.