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While that it is a nice problem to have, Mr Dale stressed that it is not easy to deal with.
The Director of Marine, being the Manager and Regulator of the port of Hong Kong, must ensure vessels can enter, work cargo, and leave Hong Kong, as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible.
He highlighted two of the activities he undertook in the port towards that objective.
On the first, the Vessel Traffic Management system, Mr Dale said that the Vessel Traffic System (VTS) established in 1989 gives advice, monitors, controls and directs all ocean-going vessels in over 95 per cent of Hong Kong waters.
"To cope with demand the system needs frequently upgrading. This was completed last year, but we are planning further upgrading of the system over the next few years," he said.
"Without doubt the system works. To date, ships rarely if ever suffer delays due to congestion, and the number of serious marine accidents is very low," Mr Dale added.
On the second activity, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) related work to support the objective of safer ships and cleaner seas, Mr Dale said the implementation of all major IMO conventions by Hong Kong also made Hong Kong a safer port.
Hong Kong is an associated member of the IMO and a signatory to all major IMO conventions. She is also a founder member of the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in 1993 and is very actively involved in increasing ship inspection rate.
End
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