Hong Kong-based Kerry Logistics turned in a sterling 2018 performance with a net profit of HK$1.326bn (US$168.8m), an increase of 12% over 2017’s HK$1.183bn. The rise in net profit was fuelled by a 24% increase in revenue to HK$38.14bn.
Commenting on the improved results, group managing director, William Ma said: ““Global economic growth moderated in 2018. The US-instigated trade tension, in particular with Mainland China, reverberated far and wide, casting uncertainties over the global trade landscape. In contrast, the economic growth in emerging Asia, specifically in the Southeast Asian countries, continued its strong momentum.
“With an unparalleled network in Asia, Kerry Logistics is well-positioned to capitalise on the robust growth in the region. Increasing demand in intra-Asia trade and e-commerce business accelerated the Group’s IL businesses. We recorded a double-digit increase in turnover, core operating profit, and core net profit in 2018, achieving positive growth for the ninth consecutive year,” he added.
The integrated logistics sector soared 14% to HK$2.11bn, up from HK$1.8bn in 2017, boosted by the increased earnings from the Hong Kong logistics operations and the outstanding performances of Kerry Express Thailand as well as Kerry Siam Seaport in Thailand.
In Hong Kong, underpinned by the Group’s leading market position in addition to its strategy to strengthen its expertise in target verticals and deepen its penetration therein, the segment profit of the logistics operations climbed by 37% in 2018. Together with the moderate growth of the warehousing business, the Group’s Hong Kong business accounted for 41% of segment profit for the IL division.
In Mainland China, the segment profit of the IL business recorded a 12% drop in 2018. The China-US trade dispute had significant impact on Chinese export trade in 2018 2H. Customers slowed down their investment and expansion plans which were set out in 2018 1H, resulting in lower-than-expected growth.
In Taiwan, as the impact of the labour law passed in 2016 has been cushioned by internal operation adjustments and improved operation efficiency, the Group’s IL business stabilised with segment profit growth of 4% in 2018.
In Asia, supported by the strong performance of the Group’s business in Thailand through Kerry Express Thailand and Kerry Siam Seaport, the IL segment profit experienced a 37% increase in 2018. The strategic partnership Kerry Express Thailand established in July 2018 with VGI Global Media Public Company Limited, the subsidiary of BTS PLC, enabled it to use BTS Skytrain exclusively to extend its express delivery services and boost same-day delivery service in Bangkok.
The Group’s International Freight Forwarding division attained steady volume growth in 2018 2H as customers have frontloaded their shipment in advance of the trade tariffs being enforced. The IFF division recorded a 7% profit growth and contributed 21% to the Group’s total segment profit in 2018.
In October 2018, the Group consolidated its industrial project logistics services under the Kerry Project Logistics brand to capitalise on the growth potential in the global industrial project logistics market unleashed by China’s Belt and Road Initiative. In the same month, the Group debuted its rail and road multimodal freight service from Lanzhou, China to Islamabad, Pakistan to expand its freight capability from China to South Asia. The new subsidiary of the Group, Kerry Freight Pakistan (Private) Limited, formed in July 2018 gave the Group a direct presence in one of the markets with the highest growth potential in the region.
The Group currently manages 60m square feet of land and logistics facilities worldwide. In Myanmar, Phase one of the inland port in Mandalay and the inland port in Yangon were completed in 2018.
In Taiwan, due to a fire accident in February 2019, construction of the 430,000-square-feet logistics centre in Guanyin is expected to complete in 2019 Q4.
In Mainland China, the logistics centre in Changsha was completed in 2018, while the one in Wuhan is expected to complete in 2019 Q2.
In Thailand, a new fully automated parcel sorting system was installed in Phase two of the Kerry Bangna Logistics Centre in 2018, boosting Kerry Express Thailand’s daily delivery capacity to over 1m parcels. Phase three of the centre began construction in 2018 Q4.
George Yeo, chairman of Kerry Logistics, concluded, “Despite uncertainties, Kerry Logistics did well in 2018 achieving double-digit growth.
“Looking ahead, we see three major trends affecting global logistics: First, China’s market will continue to grow and become the biggest in the world. Kerry Logistics will broaden and deepen its reach in China selectively.
“Second, strategic rivalry between China and the US will continue for years to come and disrupt existing global supply chains. In order to serve our customers well, Kerry Logistics must be able to offer a range of network solutions to them.
“Third, technology is steadily disrupting all aspects of the logistics industry. Kerry Logistics will give emphasis to the use of information technology, blockchain and AI wherever practical in warehouse, fleet, freight, contract, and e-commerce management. We will stay nimble and agile even as our network grows in response to changing threats and opportunities in Asia and the world.”
Source:hongkongmaritimehub (http://www.hongkongmaritimehub.com/kerry-results-indicate-se-asia-has-dodged-the-economic-slowdown/
7.Shanghai Shipping Exchange box index dips 0.9pc to 813.37pt
China's containerised export volumes dipped in the week ending March 22, according to the Shanghai Shipping Exchange's average China Containerised Freight Index (CCFI), with the CCFI dipping 0.9 per cent from a week earlier to 813.37, reported Xinhua.
The sub-index for West/East Africa route saw the strongest rally of 9.5 per cent week on week, while that for the Persian Gulf/Red Sea route led the fall by falling 3.9 per cent.
The CCFI tracks spot and contractual freight rates from Chinese container ports for 12 shipping routes worldwide, based on data from 20 leading shipping lines.
By way of comparison, the index was at 1,000 on January 1, 1998.
Source:HKSG Group
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