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Strategic Planning
The 'Study on Hong Kong Port Master Plan 2020 completed in 2004 recommended a package of immediate and long-term initiatives to increase the port's competitiveness. Following its recommendations, the Government has updated the port cargo forecasts which estimated that, the port's container throughput will continue to grow in the years ahead. An ecology study on a site on Northwest Lantau was also completed to assess its environmental suitability for building a container terminal. Taking into account the findings of both studies, the Government is now actively studying the feasibility of developing a new container terminal at an alternative site at Southwest Tsing Yi.
To strengthen Hong Kong's position as a regional hub port in the Asia-Pacific region, the Government is also planning to dredge the container port basin and its approach to ensure that future ultra-large container ships will be able to call at the port without any draft restriction at anytime.
Hong Kong Port Development Council
In Hong Kong, all container terminal facilities are financed, developed, owned and operated by the private sector. The Government's role is to undertake long-term strategic planning for port facilities and to provide the necessary supporting infrastructure, such as roads and channels to the terminals.
The Hong Kong Port Development Council (PDC), chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, is a high-level advisory body comprising the key players in the industry and senior government officials concerned. The PDC advises the Government on port development strategies and port facility planning to meet future demands. It also assists the Government in promoting Hong Kong as a regional hub port and a leading container port in the world.
A Port Development Advisory Group, formed under the PDC, assists the council in examining port cargo forecasts and assessing port development needs in the light of changing demand, port capacity, productivity, performance and competition, in Hong Kong and the region.
Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council
The Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council (MIC) is a high-level advisory body chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, and is made up of key players in the industry and senior government officials concerned. It advises the Government on the formulation of measures and initiatives to develop further Hong Kong's maritime industry. It also assists the Government in promoting Hong Kong's maritime services and its status as an international maritime centre.
There are two task forces under the MIC: the Human Resources Task Force handles education, training and manpower supply issues, while the Maritime Services Task Force deals with promoting the industry and strengthening its competitiveness.
The MIC also launched, in addition to the Hong Kong Maritime Scholarship Scheme, an Academic Collaboration Scheme between the University of Hong Kong
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