Transport 267
Port Services and Facilities
Mainland and Macao Ferry Services
The Marine Department operates two cross-boundary ferry terminals: the Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal with 12 berths and the China Ferry Terminal with 13 berths. The Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal operates round-the-clock. The China Ferry Terminal is open daily from 7 am to midnight. The Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal is operated by a tenant under a tenancy agreement. It has three berths and operates daily from 7 am to 10 pm. The department controls and regulates the use of these three cross-boundary ferry terminals under the Shipping and Port Control (Ferry Terminals) Regulations.
Immigration and Quarantine Services
Immigration and quarantine services for ships are available at the Western and Eastern Quarantine and Immigration Anchorages. Shipping agents may apply for immigration and quarantine services, including advance clearance, for ships.
The Tuen Mun Immigration Anchorage operates round-the-clock for river-trade vessels plying between Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta ports. Pre-arrival clearance has been extended to all Mainland river- and coastal-trade vessels. Operators of such vessels may submit pre-arrival clearance applications to the Immigration Department's Harbour Control Section.
Mooring Buoys
The Marine Department provides a total of 17 mooring buoys for ship operation, including 13 Class 'A' buoys for vessels of up to 183 metres long and four class 'B' buoys for vessels of up to 137 metres long. Buoy bookings may be made through the Vessel Traffic Centre.
Bunkering and Potable Water Supply
Bunkering is readily available at commercial wharves and oil terminals or from a large fleet of private bunkering barges. Bunker supplies meet the latest requirements under Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (also known as the MARPOL Convention). Fresh water can also be supplied alongside berths or from a fleet of private water boats.
Local Vessels Safety Certification Service
The Local Vessels Safety Section provides survey and certification services for local vessels to make sure they comply with safety and pollution prevention requirements. Under the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance implemented in 2007, the plan approval and ship survey work for certain types of local vessels may be carried out by recognised authorities, organisations or professionals authorised by the Marine Department.
Public Cargo Working Areas
The Marine Department manages eight public cargo working areas, which are open to cargo operators for loading and unloading cargo onto and from barges and