Hongkong International Terminals (HIT) has called for joint efforts to address a year-on-year (y/y) drop of 9.8% in throughput at Kwai Tsing container port.
The drop in throughput at the port during the first quarter of 2015 combined with uncertainties in the global economy and international trade need to be addressed, a HIT official said in a statement on 23 April.
Joint efforts would be needed within the industry to enhance efficiency and competitiveness and ensure Hong Kong retains its status as a major regional shipping hub and transhipment port, the official added.
For the first three months in 2015, the throughput at Kwai Tsing port, where HIT’s business is focused, dropped 9.8% y/y to 3.9 million teu.
Additionally, HIT announced that external contractors had agreed to a 5.5% increase in basic salary for their workers in the coming year, which is above the 2014 inflation rate of 4.4%. About 95% of their workers have given written consent to the pay rise.
HIT’s external contract workers have received a cumulative increase in monthly pay of 26.9% since 2013, and a 44.9% increase over the past five years. In May 2014 HIT introduced an incentive programme to reward workers for maintaining productivity under safe operating conditions. The programme will continue in the coming year.
In recent years, the company has strengthened communication with external contractors and workers and has made significant improvements to the working environment.
This post was sourced from IHS Maritime 360: View the original article here.
