TRANSPORT
258
In terms of container throughput, 18.1 million TEUS (20-foot equivalent units) were handled in 2000. About 430 000 vessels arrived in and departed from Hong Kong during the year. These vessels carried more than 174 million tonnes of cargo and around 17.1 million passengers. Most of these passengers commuted on the world's largest fleet of high-speed ferries, including jetfoils and jet catamarans, to and from Macau and ports in the vicinity. Details of the movements of vessels, passengers and cargoes are given in the Appendices.
Port Administration
The Marine Department administers the port. Its principal function is to ensure safety of navigation and efficiency of shipping activities in the waters of Hong Kong. This is achieved by comprehensive traffic management, harbour patrolling, vessel traffic service, provision of mooring buoys and rigorous enforcement of major international maritime conventions.
The department liaises closely with shipping and commercial organisations through a number of advisory and consultative committees. Users and operators of port facilities can provide their advice in relation to port administration matters through these channels. The Port Operations Committee advises on efficient operation of the port and the Pilotage Advisory Committee advises on matters relating to pilotage services. Besides this, the Provisional Local Vessel Advisory Committee is concerned with the local craft matters and the Shipping Consultative Committee advises on the efficient operation of the Hong Kong Shipping Register and Hong Kong's participation in the International Maritime Organisation.
The Marine Department's web site (http://www.info.gov.hk/mardep) provides a wide range of information on the port and the Hong Kong Shipping Register. The home page also carries Marine Department notices and gives details of the department's services and facilities. Special features include a Hong Kong Shipping Directory in which Hong Kong-based marine services companies are listed, real-time movements of ocean-going vessels (OGVs) and river-trade cargo vessels in port, examination schedules for seafarers and verification of Port Clearance Permits issued to OGVS. Certain port formalities can be processed through the Internet.
Vessel Traffic Management
The Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) of the Marine Department provides vessel traffic services to vessels of 300 gross tonnes and above. All vessels of 300 gross tonnes and above are required to participate in the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) and must follow VTC directions.
The movements of vessels participating in the VTS are regulated by the traffic centre through a computer-aided radar network, VHF communications and a database information system, which provides surveillance over 95 per cent of Hong Kong waters. To cope with the continuous growth in the marine traffic and future. demand, a total upgrading of the VTS system started in August for completion in early 2002.
Harbour Patrol and Local Control Stations
The Marine Department's Harbour Patrol Section (HPS) operates a fleet of 20 patrol launches and provides on-scene support to the Vessel Traffic Centre. The main duties.