Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) has reported a slow down in volume growth in the fi rst quarter, primarily a result of softening in demand in the US and other major export markets. Volume handled in the fi rst quarter was 576,877 tonnes, representing a mild increase of 0.1 percent against the same period last year.

The slow down in tonnage growth in the fi rst quarter was primarily attributed to declines in export volume to the major markets : US (-1.1 percent), Europe (-1.4 percent), Japan (-4.1 percent), South Korea (-6.8 percent) andthe Mainland (-2.0 percent).

“The slow down in cargo growth in the fi rst quarter continued from the fourth quarter 2006. Key markets of the U.S. and Europe continue to show weakness, and there is no sign of a rebound in growth rates in the short term,” said Lilian Chan, general manager, marketing & customer service.