13
yard so as to minimize the turnround time for the container-
ship. This, it is understood, might make a common-user
system for the facility, unless internally organized by
It may,
a consortium of carriers, virtually inoperable.
therefore, be expected that tenders from shipping lines
will be based on a proposal to use either of the first two
berths on an exclusive basis. The drafting of the tender
documents will, therefore, take this approach into account.
However, because of the possible danger, in adopting this
approach, of the successful tenderer acquiring a mono-
polistic control over the limited facilities available, to
the detriment of other shipping lines and Hong Kong exporters,
it is also proposed to explore, in consultation with the
private interests, the possibility of having the container
berths and associated facilities developed by a consortium
of shipping and godown interests, possibly with Government
participation.
16.
Honourable Members may wish to note that if the
container terminal proposals are to be implemented as
proposed in paragraph 15 above, additional staff in the
Port Works Division of the Public Works Department will
he required. At the same time, the Lung Cheung Road link
between the Kwai Chung Container Terminal and Kwun Tong
would have to be developed at an earlier date than would
otherwise be necessary. This project, estimated to cost
between 140 to $50 million, would therefore have to be
entrusted to consultants as staff is not available in the
Public Works Department to do the work.
17.
(a)
Honourable Members will be asked to advise
whether the development of Stage I of the
container-terminal schome at Kwai Chung as
recommended in the Engineering Report
/prepared