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TRANSPORT
Port facilities are continuously being modernised, and receive optimum utilisation. This efficiency is reflected by the average turn-round time of ships working cargo both at harbour mooring buoys and Kwai Chung container terminals, where they remain on average for two-and-a-half days and 13 hours respectively. These are probably the fastest turn-round times for any port in the Far East.
The administration of the port is the responsibility of the Director of Marine. He is advised by various committees through which close liaison with shipping and commercial interests is maintained to ensure that facilities and services are developed to meet the changing needs of Hong Kong and of ships using the port.
In 1987, some 15 170 ocean-going vessels and 86 490 river-trade vessels called at Hong Kong and loaded and discharged more than 70 million tonnes of cargo. This included 47 million tonnes of general goods from ocean-going vessels, of which 48 per cent was containerised cargo.
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Although containerisation is a major cargo transport method, a considerable amount of dry cargo handled in Hong Kong is transported at some stage by lighters and motor cargo boats. About 2 000 of these vessels were operating at the end of 1987, some 30 per cent of which were self-propelled. Break-bulk cargo is normally handled using ships' gear, but floating heavy-lift cranes are available when required.
The port of Hong Kong handled 3.4 million TEUS (20-foot equivalent units) in 1987. The container terminals at Kwai Chung provide six berths with more than 2 300 metres of quay backed by about 114 hectares of cargo handling area. This area includes container yards and container freight stations, all of which are operated by private companies. Up to six 'third generation' container ships can berth simultaneously at the container terminals. One of the terminal operators at Kwai Chung provides a 12-storey multi-purpose godown with the first two floors serving as a container freight station while another terminal accommodates a new six-storey container freight station capable of accommodating 40-foot containers. This is the largest such facility in the Far East. A second phase is under construction and due to be completed by early 1988. Various other multi-storey godowns in the vicinity of Kwai Chung provide additional storage facilities.
Other wharves and terminals provided and operated by private enterprise are capable of accommodating vessels up to 305 metres in length with draughts up to 14.6 metres. Cargo handling facilities in the public sector include cargo working areas at Wan Chai, Yau Ma Tei, Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Western District, Rambler Channel, Chai Wan, Sham Shui Po, Sheung Wan, Kowloon Bay and Tuen Mun. These areas are administered by the Marine Department. Government policy calls for the provision of public cargo working areas throughout the territory to maintain swift and efficient internal cargo
movement.
Following the Port Development Strategy Study which was completed in May 1986, the government awarded a contract to consultants to carry out a Water and Hydraulic Model Study of Victoria Harbour and its environs. The study began in January 1987 and will take two years to complete. The findings of the study will be used by the government to assess various options for future expansion of port facilities to meet growing demands.
While Hong Kong already ranks as the leading container port in Asia and the second largest in terms of throughput in the world, further expansion of the Kwai Chung Container Port is taking place. The reclamation of Kwai Chung Creek was completed in August, adding a further 26 hectares of land to help relieve the burden on the current high utilisation of ground space at the terminals due to increases in throughput experienced during the year.