FIGURES from the Hong Kong Marine Department show the container port handled 1.97 million TEU last month, down 2.3 per cent against 2.01 million TEU moved in November 2006, but also that cumulative totals for the first 11 months reveal a 1.6 per cent increase to 21.7 million TEU.

Losses were felt outside the main container terminals at Kwai Chung. Outside terminals, which account for around two thirds of total throughput, rose 4.9 per cent year on year but handling elsewhere, such as on the river trade, fell 16.9 per cent.

The Hong Kong Shippers' Council said shipments to Europe fell in November partly because of consumer anxiety over the safety of toys, cradles and food from China. Also Shenzhen, where traffic grew 10.6 per cent in November, rivals Hong Kong more than ever.

The world's biggest container port, Singapore steamed ahead, increasing November throughput 13 per cent with a cumulative total of 25.5 million TEU in the first 11 months. Shanghai boosted traffic 20.5 per cent to 23.9 million TEU during the same period.