PORT DEVELOPMENT
A decade ago, it became apparent that future growth would be of an order not previously appreciated. The demand for future facilities would be on a scale for which careful co-ordination would be needed so that the development would integrate into overall plans for developing the territory.
From recognition of this need came the Port Development Board (PDB), established in April 1990. The board is not a port authority. However, it advises the government on all aspects of port development and is responsible for:
identifying strategic port needs
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monitoring plans to meet these needs
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listening to and gathering the views of the port industries and services
following up on those views as necessary
maintaining the port's competitiveness in the region and
linking government and private sector involvement in port planning and development.
To do this, the board brings together key players from the private sector and the government to determine and promote recommended solutions to problems. It acts as a focal point for ideas and opinions expressed by port operators and for anyone affected by port expansion.
The board assesses development needs in the light of changing demand, port capacity, productivity and performance and competition from regional ports. One of its main tasks is to determine what port facilities will be needed and to advise on the best means of ensuring that those facilities are in place, on time.
Current Strategic Planning
Significant investments in upgraded equipment and systems in the existing terminals enabled Hong Kong to handle the growth in container terminal throughput in 1996. Nevertheless, at present rates of growth of demand for such facilities, it is expected that the Kwai Chung terminals will be operating at full capacity by the first quarter of 1999. In September, the way was cleared for Container Terminal Nine (CT9) on Tsing Yi Island to be taken forward so that it might come into operation in line with current demand forecasts in January 1999. Rationalisation by operators of Container Terminals One to Nine means that CT9 will include feeder berth capacity in addition to its previously planned four berths for main line ships.
Detailed planning and design, and work on lease conditions for the first phases of Lantau Port, was completed in 1996. Barge berth facilities have been included in the designs for CT10 and CT11 in Lantau Port. Under the continuing government plan and programme for port development, feasibility studies for CT12 and CT13 in Lantau Port are expected to start in early 1997.
In planning Lantau Port, environmental considerations have played an important role. The orientation of terminals is such that visual and noise impact is minimised, while safety and operational efficiency are optimised.
With the continuing growth in cargo throughput, shippers are seeking additional means of transporting goods to and from China. They are increasingly using the natural highway of the Pearl River and there has been a substantial increase in container barge traffic on the river.