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Tuesday, February 5, 1974
INCREASE IN PORT ACTIVITIES
There has been a general upward trend in port activities in the
last three years, according to statistics released by the Marine Department
today.
Although the number of ocean-going ships entering Hong Kong
has been decreasing, the amount of cargo throughput has been steadily
on the increase..
In 1973, 7,358 vessels entered port, 469 less than the previous year, while the cargo throughput, including all types of oil imports, was 15,940,120 long tons, en increase of 11.5 per cent or 1,643,554 long
tons over 1972.
Commenting on the statistics,. a spokesman for the department
explained that the decrease in the number of ships entering port was due
to the advent of container ships.
"All three containers berths at Kwai Chung are now operational and handling the large (60,000 tons gross) 'third generation' container ships,"
he said.
"These are progressively replacing smaller conventional ships
on certain trades, mainly to the U.S.A., Europe and the United Kingdom.
"Indications are that about 40 per cent of all dry cargo imports
" he added.
and exports are presently carried in containers,
The influx of larger ships is shown by the increase in the total
net tonnage of ships entering port.
In 1971,