TRANSPORT
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there is a 16-storey godown with a usable floor area of 52 600 square metres, equipped with container lifts serving all floors. A six-storey cargo distribution and handling centre, one of the largest of its kind in the world, is being constructed in Kwai Chung and will more than double the operator's present container capacity.
The Marine Department, with co-operation from other government departments, continued throughout 1985 with a Port Development Strategy Study to examine the needs of the port to the year 2001. The views of the shipping industry and business sector have been sought during the study which commenced in 1984 and is expected to be completed in early 1986.
Although Hong Kong already ranks as the leading container port in Asia and among the top three in the world, further expansion of the Kwai Chung Container Port is constantly under review. The reclamation of some 26 hectares of seabed at Kwai Chung Creek, which commenced in July 1984, continued throughout 1985. The new land formed will be used to provide back-up space for the container terminals.
During the year, as a second phase of the expansion programme, the government completed negotiations with one of the terminal operators to reclaim a further 28 hectares of land for the provision of an additional three berths and associated terminal facilities.
In 1985, 9.3 million passengers were carried between Hong Kong and Macau by jetfoils, hydrofoils, jetcats, hoverferries, high speed ferries and conventional ferries operating from either the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal on Hong Kong Island or the Sham Shui Po-Macau Ferry Terminal in Kowloon. The construction of a permanent Hong Kong- Macau Ferry Terminal on Hong Kong Island, which replaced the temporary Hong Kong- Macau Ferry Terminal in Central District, was completed and became operational in October.
This new terminal, which has been provided with innovative and sophisticated equip- ment and operating systems, is capable of handling in excess of 10 million passengers annually.
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About 2.1 million passengers travelling between Hong Kong and China passed through the temporary Tai Kok Tsui-China Ferry Terminal and the Sha Tin-Meisha Ferry Terminal. Hoverferries, jetcats, catamarans and conventional ferries operate between Hong Kong and various Chinese ports.
The construction of a permanent Hong Kong-China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on the site of the existing Kowloon Public Pier Number 54 commenced in August and is expected to be completed by the end of 1987. On completion, this new terminal will replace the temporary Tai Kok Tsui-China Ferry Terminal.
Within the port of Hong Kong, 71 mooring buoys are provided and maintained by the Marine Department. Of these, 43 are classified as 'A Class' moorings suitable for vessels up to 183 metres in length and 28 are classified as 'B Class' moorings suitable for vessels up to 135 metres in length. These moorings include 57 special typhoon moorings to enable vessels to remain secured to them during tropical storms. This improves efficiency and reduces operational costs.
For ships calling at Hong Kong, immigration facilities are available on a 24-hour basis at the Western Quarantine Anchorage and from 6.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Eastern Quarantine Anchorage. Quarantine facilities are available continuously at the Western Quarantine Anchorage. Quarantine service is available at the Eastern Quarantine Anchorage between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. only on request through the Port Communications Centre. Vessels may, on application, obtain advance clearance, advance immigration processing and advance free pratique by radio.