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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 taking forward a project to dredge the Kwai Tsing Container Port Basin and its approach to allow the new generation of ultra-large container ships to call at the port in all tide conditions.
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 key players in the industry and senior government officials. 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. 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 Hong Kong's 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 and the Dalian Maritime University, which enhances their law graduates' knowledge of maritime law.
Maritime Industry
Some 90 international shipping lines offer ocean liner services in Hong Kong, with about 400 sailings weekly to over 500 destinations around the world. In addition, there are about 700 shipping-related companies operating in Hong Kong,