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"Under the new system, berthing spaces will be leased to operators by tender instead of the current practice of allocating the berthing spaces on a first-come-first- served basis," Mr Tang said.
"All berthing spaces except those currently designated as 'fast working berths' will be leased to existing operators through a restricted tender system. The 'fast working berths' which is about seven per cent of the total number of all the berthing spaces will be leased by open tender to allow new comers to make use of these facilities.
"Only existing operators are allowed to bid in the restricted tender to ensure that none of them will be driven out of business because of the new measures," Mr Tang stressed.
Another built-in feature to protect the interests of current operators is that eligible bidders in the restricted tender are allowed to bid the same number of berths as they are currently occupying.
"This additional safeguard will give all existing operators a fair chance to take part in the allocation exercise through tender and also ensure that no single operator will be able to dominate a large number of berthing spaces," Mr Tang said.
A third distinguishing feature is to allow small operators to group together to bid for one berthing space.
"This will enable small operators who do not have sufficient cargo volume to justify leasing a berth on their own to merge with other small operators to fully utilise a berth," Mr Tang said.
Mr Tang said the new proposals would meet the operational needs of the operators and provide them with a security of tenure of berths and they can continue their business under a fair, open and economically viable environment.
He pointed out that the Marine Department's proposals were drawn in line with the recommendations of the Director of Audit and the Public Accounts Committee of the Legislative Council in their studies into the management of the PCWAS.