The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (September 4) released the statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the second quarter of 2023.

     In the second quarter of 2023, total port cargo throughput decreased by 14.9% compared with the second quarter of 2022 to 44.5 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo and outward port cargo decreased by 13.1% and 17.8% compared with the second quarter of 2022 to 28.3 million tonnes and 16.2 million tonnes respectively.

     For the first half of 2023, total port cargo throughput decreased by 9.5% compared with the first half of 2022 to 85.7 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo and outward port cargo decreased by 9.5% and 9.3% compared with the first half of 2022 to 54.5 million tonnes and 31.2 million tonnes respectively.

     On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, total port cargo throughput decreased by 4.0% in the second quarter of 2023. Within this total, inward port cargo and outward port cargo decreased by 4.6% and 2.9% respectively compared with the preceding quarter. The seasonally adjusted series enables more meaningful shorter-term comparison to be made for discerning possible variations in trends.

Port cargo

     Within port cargo, seaborne and river cargo decreased by 13.0% and 18.5% in the second quarter of 2023 compared with the second quarter of 2022 to 30.2 million tonnes and 14.4 million tonnes respectively.

     Within inward port cargo, imports and inward transhipment decreased by 6.6% and 19.3% in the second quarter of 2023 compared with the second quarter of 2022 to 14.9 million tonnes and 13.5 million tonnes respectively. For outward port cargo, exports (including domestic exports and re-exports) and outward transhipment decreased by 18.8% and 17.5% in the second quarter of 2023 compared with the second quarter of 2022 to 3.5 million tonnes and 12.6 million tonnes respectively.

     Within port cargo, seaborne and river cargo decreased by 12.7% and 2.1% in the first half of 2023 compared with the first half of 2022 to 57.5 million tonnes and 28.3 million tonnes respectively.

     Within inward port cargo, imports and inward transhipment decreased by 6.5% and 12.6% in the first half of 2023 compared with the first half of 2022 to 28.5 million tonnes and 26.0 million tonnes respectively. For outward port cargo, exports and outward transhipment decreased by 7.1% and 10.0% in the first half of 2023 compared with the first half of 2022 to 7.0 million tonnes and 24.2 million tonnes respectively.

     The detailed port cargo statistics are summarised in Table 1.

     The main countries/territories of loading of inward port cargo and countries/territories of discharge of outward port cargo are shown in Table 2 and Table 3 respectively.

     Comparing the second quarter of 2023 with the second quarter of 2022, double-digit increase was recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Malaysia (+16.4%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Vietnam (-35.8%), Japan (-22.8%), Taiwan (-21.7%), the mainland of China (-14.9%) and Korea (-13.0%). For outward port cargo, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in the United States of America (-40.1%), Taiwan (-31.0%), Australia (-27.2%), Vietnam (-25.0%), Japan (-22.0%), the mainland of China (-17.3%), Malaysia (-15.6%) and Korea (-14.5%).

     Comparing the first half of 2023 with the first half of 2022, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Vietnam (-33.3%), Taiwan (-32.4%), Japan (-23.1%), Korea (-18.9%) and Thailand (-10.5%). For outward port cargo, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in the United States of America (-36.4%), Taiwan (-32.2%), Australia (-22.6%), Japan (-21.2%), Vietnam (-17.9%), Korea (-15.9%) and Malaysia (-12.2%).

     The principal commodities of inward port cargo and outward port cargo are shown in Table 4 and Table 5 respectively.

     Comparing the second quarter of 2023 with the second quarter of 2022, double-digit changes were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo of "petroleum, petroleum products and related materials" (+44.5%), "artificial resins and plastic materials" (-19.4%) and "machinery" (-25.5%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of "artificial resins and plastic materials" (-29.8%), "stone, sand and gravel" (-22.2%), "machinery" (-19.6%), "pulp and waste paper" (-19.5%) and "live animals chiefly for food and edible animal products" (-13.2%).

     Comparing the first half of 2023 with the first half of 2022, double-digit changes were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo of "petroleum, petroleum products and related materials" (+29.4%), "stone, sand and gravel" (-10.6%), "artificial resins and plastic materials" (-11.7%) and "machinery" (-16.3%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit changes were recorded in the tonnage of "stone, sand and gravel" (+40.5%), "metalliferous ores and metal scrap" (+10.2%), "artificial resins and plastic materials" (-10.8%) and "machinery" (-18.9%).

Containers

     In the second quarter of 2023, the port of Hong Kong handled 3.69 million TEUs of containers, representing a decrease of 21.9% compared with the second quarter of 2022. Within this total, laden and empty containers decreased by 22.9% and 17.8% to 2.90 million TEUs and 0.78 million TEUs respectively. Among laden containers, inward and outward containers decreased by 24.9% and 20.5% to 1.56 million TEUs and 1.34 million TEUs respectively.

     For the first half of 2023, the port of Hong Kong handled 7.12 million TEUs of containers, representing a decrease of 15.5% compared with the first half of 2022. Within this total, laden and empty containers decreased by 16.9% and 9.8% to 5.63 million TEUs and 1.49 million TEUs respectively. Among laden containers, inward and outward containers decreased by 18.5% and 15.0% to 3.02 million TEUs and 2.61 million TEUs respectively.

     On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, laden container throughput decreased by 4.4% in the second quarter of 2023. Within this total, inward and outward laden containers decreased by 5.9% and 2.5% respectively.

     In the second quarter of 2023, seaborne and river laden containers decreased by 18.3% and 32.8% compared with the second quarter of 2022 to 2.09 million TEUs and 0.81 million TEUs respectively.

     Within inward laden containers, imports and inward transhipment decreased by 33.9% and 20.9% in the second quarter of 2023 compared with the second quarter of 2022 to 0.43 million TEUs and 1.14 million TEUs respectively. For outward laden containers, exports and outward transhipment decreased by 22.6% and 19.9% in the second quarter of 2023 compared with the second quarter of 2022 to 0.27 million TEUs and 1.07 million TEUs respectively.

     In the first half of 2023, seaborne and river laden containers decreased by 17.6% and 15.0% compared with the first half of 2022 to 4.02 million TEUs and 1.61 million TEUs respectively.

     Within inward laden containers, imports and inward transhipment decreased by 27.5% and 14.4% in the first half of 2023 compared with the first half of 2022 to 0.83 million TEUs and 2.20 million TEUs respectively. For outward laden containers, exports and outward transhipment decreased by 20.6% and 13.4% in the first half of 2023 compared with the first half of 2022 to 0.54 million TEUs and 2.07 million TEUs respectively.

     The detailed container statistics are summarised in Table 6.

     Port cargo and laden container statistics are compiled from a sample of consignments listed in the cargo manifests supplied by shipping companies and agents to the C&SD.

Vessel arrivals

     Comparing the second quarter of 2023 with the second quarter of 2022, the number of ocean vessel arrivals increased by 11.7% to 4 785, with the total capacity also increasing by 28.0% to 77.1 million net tons. Meanwhile, the number of river vessel arrivals increased by 30.1% to 18 456, with the total capacity also increasing by 1.8% to 18.4 million net tons.

     Comparing the first half of 2023 with the first half of 2022, the number of ocean vessel arrivals increased by 20.0% to 9 311, with the total capacity also increasing by 29.8% to 147.9 million net tons. Meanwhile, the number of river vessel arrivals increased by 41.6% to 33 160, with the total capacity also increasing by 17.5% to 35.7 million net tons.

     The statistics on vessel arrivals in Hong Kong are given in Table 7.

     Vessel statistics are compiled by the Marine Department primarily from general declarations submitted by ship masters and authorised shipping agents. Pleasure vessels and fishing vessels plying exclusively within the river trade limits are excluded.

Further information

     More detailed statistics on port cargo, containers and vessels are published in the report "Hong Kong Shipping Statistics, Second Quarter 2023". Users can download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020008&scode=230).

     For enquiries about port cargo and container statistics, please contact the Electronic Trading Services and Cargo Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 2126 or email: shipping@censtatd.gov.hk). For enquiries about vessel statistics, readers may contact the Statistics Section under the Planning, Development and Port Security Branch of the Marine Department (Tel: 2852 3662 or email: st-sec@mardep.gov.hk).

     August 2023 was much hotter than usual in Hong Kong, mainly attributable to the warmer than normal sea surface temperature over the northern part of the South China Sea and a stronger than usual southwesterly flow in the lower atmosphere over the south China coast. The monthly mean temperature of 29.7 degrees and monthly mean minimum temperature of 27.8 degrees were respectively 1.0 degree and 1.1 degrees above their normal levels, and both were the highest on record for August. Moreover, the monthly mean maximum temperature of 32.4 degrees was 1.1 degrees above normal and one of the second highest on record for August. Together with the exceptionally hot weather in June and July, Hong Kong experienced the hottest summer on record from June to August 2023 with a record-breaking high mean temperature of 29.7 degrees. The mean maximum temperature of 32.4 degrees and mean minimum temperature of 27.6 degrees were both the second highest on record for the same period. There were 15 hot nights in August 2023, one of the highest on record for August. The month was also much drier than usual with a total rainfall of 140.7 millimetres, about 31 per cent of the normal figure of 453.2 millimetres and the ninth lowest on record for August. The accumulated rainfall up to August this year was 1 157.2 millimetres, a deficit of about 40 per cent compared with the normal level of 1 921.5 millimetres for the same period.
 
     Under the influence of a broad trough of low pressure, there were some showers and sunny periods on the first day of the month. Showers and thunderstorms triggered by high temperatures also affected parts of the territory around noon that day. The showers were heavier in some places with more than 30 millimetres of rainfall recorded over Tsing Yi, Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. Under light wind conditions, it was mainly fine and very hot on August 2. Meanwhile, tropical cyclone Khanun moved west-northwestwards towards the East China Sea and lingered there on August 3 and 4. Under the influence of the outer subsiding air of Khanun, it was mainly fine and extremely hot on the afternoon of August 3. The maximum temperature at the Observatory soared to 35.1 degrees that afternoon, the highest of the month. 
 
     With the prevalence of a southwesterly airstream and the subsequent establishment of the anticyclone aloft, the weather was very hot with sunny periods apart from a few showers during the day from August 4 to 9. There were also a few thunderstorms on August 5 and 9. Affected by a trough of low pressure, apart from sunny intervals on August 12 and 14, it was mainly cloudy with occasional showers and squally thunderstorms in Hong Kong on August 10 to 14. More than 50 millimetres of rainfall were recorded generally over the territory, and rainfall even exceeded 100 millimetres over Tseung Kwan O, parts of Hong Kong Island and Lantau Island on these five days. Under the rain, temperatures at the Observatory dropped to a minimum of 25.7 degrees on August 11, the lowest of the month but the highest monthly absolute minimum temperature on record for August. 
 
     Under the influence of an anticyclone aloft, apart from a few showers and isolated thunderstorms, the weather of Hong Kong improved with more sunshine on August 15 to 17. It was also very hot during the day on August 16. Affected by a trough of low pressure over the South China coast, local weather became mainly cloudy with showers and squally thunderstorms on August 18 and 19. More than 40 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over many places and rainfall even exceeded 100 millimetres over the northern part of the New Territories on these two days. With the weakening of the trough of low pressure, the showers abated on August 20. Under the influence of a southerly airstream, the weather of Hong Kong was a mixture of sunshine, showers and isolated thunderstorms on August 21 to 28. It was also very hot during the day on August 22, 23 and 28.
 
     Affected by a trough of low pressure along the coast of Guangdong and a weak northeast monsoon over southern China, the weather of Hong Kong turned mainly cloudy and more showery with thunderstorms on August 29. The showers were particularly heavy in some places with more than 90 millimetres of rainfall recorded over the northern part of the New Territories. Meanwhile, over the western North Pacific, tropical cyclone Saola tracked northwestwards across the Luzon Strait on August 29 and 30. It continued to edge towards the coast of eastern Guangdong on August 31. Locally, it was hot and dry with sunny periods during the day on the last two days of the month. With Saola edging closer to the coast of eastern Guangdong, local winds strengthened gradually and there were a few showers later on August 31.
 
     Seven tropical cyclones occurred over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in August 2023.
 
     Details of the issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals in the month are summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for August are tabulated in Table 2.

     A landlord of subdivided units (SDUs) contravening Part IVA of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) (the Ordinance) pleaded guilty today (September 4) at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts for seven offences of failing to submit a Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation (the Commissioner) within 60 days after the term of the regulated tenancy commenced. The landlord was fined a total of $5,600 for the offences. Since the Ordinance has come into force, seven SDU landlords have been convicted of contravening the Ordinance.

     In mid-April 2023, the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) discovered that the landlord was suspected of failing to submit a Form AR2 within the prescribed period for seven regulated tenancies of SDUs when performing its duties. Upon in-depth investigation and evidence collection, the RVD prosecuted against the landlord.
     
     Pursuant to Section 120AAZT of the Ordinance, the landlord of a regulated tenancy must submit a completed Form AR2 to the Commissioner to notify the particulars of the tenancy within 60 days after the term of the regulated tenancy commenced. A landlord who refuses or neglects to comply with the above requirements without reasonable excuse commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3 ($10,000), and in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine of $200 for each day during which the offence continues.

     A spokesman for the RVD hopes this conviction will send a strong message to SDU landlords that they must comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance, and also remind SDU tenants of their rights under the Ordinance. Apart from following up on reported cases, the RVD has been adopting a multipronged approach using close liaisons with other departments to proactively identify, investigate and follow up on cases concerning landlords who are suspected of contravening the Ordinance. To this end, the RVD has started to proactively require landlords of regulated tenancies to provide information and reference documents of their tenancies for checking whether the landlords concerned have complied with the requirements of the Ordinance. If a landlord, without reasonable excuse, refuses to provide the relevant information or neglects the RVD's request, the landlord commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3 ($10,000) and to imprisonment for three months. Moreover, the RVD also provides a form (Form AR3) to enable tenants of regulated tenancies who have not yet received a copy of endorsed Form AR2 to provide the basic tenancy particulars to the RVD by electronic means or in paper form, so as to enquire whether the RVD has received the relevant Form AR2 for the department's follow-up as appropriate. If any contraventions are found, the RVD will seriously look into the cases.

     The RVD spokesman also appealed to members of the public to come forward and report to the RVD promptly any suspected cases of contravening the relevant requirements. This would help curb illegal acts as soon as possible. Reporting can be made through the telephone hotline (2150 8303), by email (enquiries@rvd.gov.hk), by fax (2116 4920), by post (15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon), or in person (please call 2150 8303 to make an appointment with the Tenancy Services Section of the RVD before visiting its office at Room 3816-22, 38/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai).

     For enquiries related to regulated tenancies, please call the above telephone hotline or visit the RVD's webpage (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/our_services/part_iva.html) for the relevant information.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, September 4, 2023 is 105.2 (same as last Thursday's index).

     â€‹Launched by the Hong Kong Film Archive of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the "Movies to GO" series will collaborate with Tai Kwun to present "Tai Kwun Movie Steps X Hong Kong Film Archive – A Touch of Youth". Five teen films from the 1950s to 1980s will be screened free of charge on eight consecutive Sundays between September 10 and October 29 at the Tai Kwun Laundry Steps to allow audiences to revisit the charisma of the teen idols of the time.
 
     Starring the charming "Jewel of Shaws" Patricia Lam Fung and the handsome Cheung Ying-choi, "Sweet Girl in Terror" (1958) is filled with youthfulness at first but then takes a turn to become a mystery thriller. The film, shot in Eastmancolor, not only captures the gorgeousness of the young Lam and Cheung, but also records the valuable images of Kai Tak Airport and the old Tai Po Market Railway Station.
 
     A teen film set on a university campus, "Spring Song" (1959) features the "Mambo Girl" Grace Chang and the "Students' Sweetheart" Jeanette Lin Tsui. In the film, Chang showcased her talent in singing and dancing and performed an excerpt from a famous Kunqu piece "The Peony Pavilion", while Lin demonstrated the vitality of a teenage girl who excels in sports.
 
     "You Are My Love" (1967) centres on the romantic entanglements between three sisters of the Lau family and three brothers of the Ling family. The energetic youngest Lau sister, played by Josephine Siao Fong-fong, let havoc befall their lives in a moment of impulsivity. Best known for his period dramas, director Chu Kea was equally brilliant in directing this contemporary-set film, mixing scenes of singing and dancing with the theme of sisterly love in a way that is both dazzling and moving.
 
     Played by the timeless onscreen couple Lui Kay and Connie Chan Po-chu, "Mary, I Love You" (1969) not only tells a profound and moving love story, but also depicts the unfailing friendship between the characters. The film features a series of song and dance scenes, with its theme song meticulously arranged into two echoing versions performed by Chan and Lui. 
 
     "Once Upon A Rainbow" (1982) revolves around the ups and downs in the pursuit of dreams, and the difficult choice between love and friendship faced by three youngsters. Several famous film personalities made their debut in this film, including Andy Lau as a film actor, and Wong Kar-wai and Yee Chung-man as screenwriters.
 
     Some screenings will be accompanied by post-screening talks hosted by film researchers Eric Tsang and Sam Ho, and film score scholar Dr Angela Law.
 
     "Spring Song" is in Mandarin and other films are in Cantonese. All films are with Chinese and English subtitles.
 
     Admission is free and audience members should arrive at the venue at the respective screening time. Limited space will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For programme enquiries, please call 2739 2139 or visit link www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/pe-event-2023-mtg.html.