TRANSPORT
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conventions, including those on safety of life at sea, training and certification of crew, and protection of the marine environment.
The department's surveyors or authorised classification societies undertake statutory surveys of Hong Kong-registered vessels world-wide to ensure that these standards are met. The register had a total fleet of 578 vessels, amounting to 8.7 million GRT, at the end of 1995.
Seafarers
Hong Kong is a centre for employing well-trained seafarers. Some 2 000 registered Hong Kong officers and ratings serve on foreign-going ships flying flags of more than 20 different maritime administrations. The Marine Department's Mercantile Marine Office registers Hong Kong seafarers and regulates and supervises their engagement on board ships, and the Examination Section monitors training provided to seafarers and examines candidates for certificates of competency.
The Hong Kong Seamen's Training Centre, a modern and well-equipped learning institute operated by the Vocational Training Council, provides training courses for new entrants and in-service training. The falling recruitment of local seafarers nevertheless continues to remain a major concern. The Hong Kong Shipowners Association continues to sponsor cadets and trainees joining the Seamen's Training Centre.
Civil Aviation
The year saw continued growth in passenger traffic, and strong growth in cargo throughput at Hong Kong International Airport, at Kai Tak. A total of 27.4 million passengers passed through the terminal, which was 8.7 per cent more than the 25.2 million in 1994.
Some 1.45 million tonnes of cargo, valued at 563.8 billion, were handled, an increase of 12.4 per cent when compared to 1.29 million tonnes, valued at $447.6 billion, in 1994. Air transport continues to play an important role in Hong Kong's external trade in that goods carried by air account for about 22 per cent, 33 per cent and 15 per cent in value terms, of Hong Kong's total trade in imports, exports and re- exports, respectively. The USA remains the major market for exports and re-exports by air, accounting for 33 per cent and 23 per cent, respectively.
An increase of 4.8 per cent in aircraft movements was recorded in 1995, bringing the annual total to 150 118, of which 79 per cent were wide-bodied aircraft. The first Airbus A330 aircraft was entered into the Hong Kong register in February and at the end of the year the total number of these aircraft had risen to 10.
Throughout the year, tripartite meetings were held between air traffic control experts of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macau and the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department. The instrument flight procedures for air traffic control for the four airports in the Pearl River delta region - Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen and Zhuhai were co-ordinated and streamlined with a view to ensuring safety while promoting flight operation efficiency.
Implementation planning for the new airport at Chek Lap Kok continued. Delivery and installation of air traffic control equipment began at the end of 1995 and site acceptance tests will be carried out in phases.