TRANSPORT
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The dockyard is also responsible for the design, procurement and maintenance of all vessels for the Government. In 2003, 19 new vessels costing $58 million were built and delivered to the Government. Twelve new building contracts, worth $115 million, were awarded to shipbuilders in Hong Kong and overseas.
Marine Facilities
The Civil Engineering Department is responsible for the planning, design and construction of public marine facilities including piers, beacons, breakwaters, seawalls, navigation channels and anchorage areas. In 2003, the department completed the reconstruction of the public piers at Tai Lam Chung, Hei Ling Chau and Kadoorie Piers. The department continued with the reconstruction of the public piers at Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, Kat O and Wu Kai Sha. It commenced the construction of a sheltered boat anchorage at Tai O and started the planning and design of reconstruction of the public piers at Sha Tau Kok, Wong Shek, Ko Lau Wan, Sham Chung and Lai Chi Chong. Work began on constructing a pier and boardwalk at Stanley.
The department is also responsible for the maintenance of public marine facilities. It operates a maintenance strategy that is aimed at extending the life of reinforced concrete piers by incorporating a specification for durable concrete, applying coating to protect the concrete against chloride penetration, and preventing corrosion of reinforcement bars by installing a cathodic protection system. In addition, the department carries out routine inspections and repairs of other public marine structures including seawalls, breakwaters and beacons. It provides maintenance dredging services in anchorage areas, typhoon shelters, rivers and navigation channels. In 2003, the department maintained 117 kilometres of seawalls, 298 piers and 18 000 hectares of seabed.
To make public piers more environmentally friendly, the department has advocated the use of rubber or recycled plastic as alternative materials for the fender system, to replace the traditional hardwood timber fenders. Replacement work has begun at some public piers.
International Transportation and Logistics Hub
'Transportation and Logistics' is an important sector of the economy, accounting for about 4.8 per cent of Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product. Hong Kong is Asia's premier international transportation and logistics hub, and for many years has maintained its position as the world's busiest container port and a leading international air cargo handling centre. These achievements are due to the people who run the services and facilities the investors as well as the efficient workforce. It is also the result of a productive blend of private and public sector cooperation.
Hong Kong has a port and an airport that are efficient, reliable and well-connected and facilitate the development of the logistics industry. In the case of air cargo, the airport handles an average of 50 810 tonnes every week. With its dual runways, the airport has ample capacity to handle anticipated increases in demand.