XN000022-1995-11-29 — Page 12

- 11 -

Cargo working area productivity consultation to begin soon

The Marine Department will shortly begin consulting operators at Public Cargo Working Areas (PCWAs) on proposals to improve the productivity and financial performance of cargo working areas so as to meet the increasing demand, said the Director of Marine, Mr Ian Dale.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the new Yaumatei Marine Office and Public Cargo Working Area this (Wednesday) morning, Mr Dale noted that with the ever-increasing trade between Hong Kong and China, particularly river trade, and the difficulty of providing more PCWAS, the Marine Department had to expand the PCWAs' existing capacity and productivity.

For this purpose, early this year the department commissioned a consultancy study to recommend ways to improve the management and operation of PCWAs. The study was completed in October with various improvement measures recommended.

"One of the most promising is to contract out the management of berths to cargo operators through a tendering arrangement," Mr Dale said.

The consultancy study concluded that with long-term security of berths operators would be encouraged to invest in more modern cargo handling machinery and thus increased cargo throughput, he said.

Mr Dale noted that the Marine Department was evaluating the study results but consultation with operators would be carried out shortly.

On the newly opened Yaumatei Marine Office and PCWA, Mr Dale said as a result of various development proposals, such as the Port and Airport Development Strategy Study coupled with the growing demand, the original Yaumatei Marine Office, and the old typhoon shelter and its PCWA had to be relocated to make way for the West Kowloon Reclamation.

The new facilities are larger and more efficient than the old facilities, and they thus will enable the Marine Department to serve its customers more efficiently.

The Yaumatei Marine Office, one of the department's most important bases for local marine services, has the job of regulating marine activities, controlling safety on local vessels, and managing the Yaumatci PCWA.