Since January, 8.9mn TEUs have been handled at the Hong Kong port, only 0.8% higher than the strong numbers in 2004. At the Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi terminals, a total of 1.2mn TEUs were handled in May at a 4.9% growth.

Meanwhile, the Shenzhen ports handled 1.36mn TEUs in May at a 26.6% growth rate. Cumulatively, the Shenzhen ports handled a total of 6.11bn TEUs since the beginning of the year, at a growth rate of about 25%.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Airport Authority reported that passenger traffic, cargo throughput and aircraft movements all presented robust growth in May.

Air cargo throughput at the Hone Kong International Airport (HKIA), reached 269,000 tonnes, representing a 9.4% increase. Aircraft movements also increased by 10.4% compared with last May, amounting to 21,560.

According to the Airport Authority, the favorable performance in May was brought about by the driving forces of Europe and the Mainland markets which led the growth of cargo volume while long-haul passenger markets of the US, Europe and Australia showed healthy growth. A total of 3.3mn passengers passed through - up 17.3% compared with the same period last year.