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COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT
The terminal is located in the north-western part of Victoria Harbour-one of the most perfect natural harbours in the world, varying in width from one to six miles and having an area of 23 square miles. Besides its container handling capacities, the port caters for all the requirements of modern shipping. Hong Kong is prominent as a pivotal port in Southeast Asia, there being a considerable 'feeder' trade conducted principally with ports in Taiwan and the Philippines. The port is state-owned and is administered by the Director of Marine. He is advised by the Port Executive Com- mittee on the shipping, commercial and other changing needs of the port. There is a Port Committee which similarly advises the Governor.
In the year 1975–6, some 7,500 calls at Hong Kong were made by ocean-going vessels. The total deadweight tonnage of cargo imported and exported through the port was more than 19.2 million tons. This included some 11 million tons of general goods, 51 per cent of which was containerised cargo. While the tonnage of cargo carried in containers continues to increase, a considerable amount of dry cargo handled in Hong Kong is still transported at some stage by about 2,000 lighters and junks. The ratio of mechanised junks increases annually, now amounting to 43 per cent of the total. Shipboard cargo gear is normally used for loading and discharging cargo alongside wharves or in the stream, but floating heavy lift cranes are available when required. Modern equipment which helps to achieve the rapid turnround of ships has been brought into use by the wharf and godown companies. A new mobile floating roll-on/roll-off ramp is now being used by one of the Kwai Chung container terminal operators. Nearby, at Tsuen Wan, a new 16-storey godown has been opened with a usable floor area of 1.5 million square feet. This godown is equipped with container lifts which serve all floors.
Most wharves and terminals are provided and operated by private enterprise and they are capable of accommodating vessels of up to 1,000 feet in length with draughts of up to 40 feet. Facilities in the public sector include the Hong Kong-Macau ferry terminal and the public cargo working areas at Wan Chai and Yau Ma Tei, which are administered by the Marine Department. Government policy calls for the con- tinued provision of public cargo working areas throughout Hong Kong so as to keep internal cargo movements swift and efficient.
Within the harbour there are 70 mooring buoys operated and maintained by the Marine Department for ocean-going vessels. Of these buoys, 42 are suitable for vessels of up to 600 feet in length and the rest for ships of up to 450 feet in length. The moor- ings include 64 special typhoon buoys which are located so that ships can remain secured to them during tropical storms. This obviates unnecessary ship movements, so helping to maintain efficiency and reduce operational costs. During the year, a major relocation programme affecting the majority of these buoys was undertaken and com- pleted. Safe anchorages are available for deep draught vessels.
There is considerable tourist and other sea passenger traffic between Hong Kong and Macau, and facilities at the Hong Kong-Macau ferry terminal on Hong Kong Island have been expanded and improved. Two new jetfoils are now in operation and they are capable of speeds of up to 45 knots. In 1976 more than 4.5 million passengers were carried by jetfoil and traditional ferry on this route.