XN000022-1995-11-09 — Page 15

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FS visits Marine Department

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The Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, continued his current round of visits to government departments and called on the Marine Department this (Thursday) morning to get a first hand briefing on the latest developments at the maritime front.

Met on arrival by the Director of Marine, Mr Ian Dale, and Deputy Director of Marine, Mr S Y Tsui, Mr Tsang held a meeting with the senior directorate officers of the department and toured the Vessel Traffic Centre located at the Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan.

He noted that port activities contributed 16 per cent to the territory's gross domestic product and directly or indirectly provided more than 350,000 jobs for the working force in Hong Kong.

He was impressed by the department's initiatives in marine traffic management which have contributed much to provide a safe port environment for both international and local shipping.

In 1994, the port had 74,000 ocean going ship movements, 200 per cent increase over the 23,800 movements recorded in 1984. The current forecast indicated that by 2001 this figure will have reached 105,400, a 42 per cent increase on last year's levels.

Mr Tsang noted that the Marine Department had recently re-aligned fairways and anchorages to allow for the growth in marine traffic and had just signed an $11 million contract for consultancy that will when completed in December 1996, provide the department with a water area planning management tool for use well into the next century.

He was informed that all available water space in the western harbour and beyond has been designated for specific uses associated with services to commercial shipping such as anchorages, fairways, mooring areas and typhoon shelters.

These areas are subject to a high degree of management control to ensure the high level of safety standards are maintained, while maximising utilisation of facilities and efficient movement of vessels.