The operators rejected the new regionalised arrangement and demanded a district-based arrangement.
They insisted that only existing operators at a particular PCWA are allowed to bid for the berths in that PCWA.
Mr Tang said: "The objective for introducing a tender system is to ensure a fair and open berth allocation system in the PCWAS and to enhance productivity.
"The demand of a district-based tender system from some operators is entirely for their own interests.
"Their proposal would only lead to rigging the whole tender exercise. It is not fair and does not offer a level playing field to those operators who would like to increase their cargo throughput by bidding a better location."
The Marine Department will report the outcome of today's meeting to a government working group which oversees the management reform in PCWAs.
End
Drug abuse statistics for first quarter released
The figure of young drug abusers for the first quarter in 1996 continues to decrease for the fifth consecutive quarter, according to the statistics released by the Government's Central Registry of Drug Abuse today (Wednesday).
The number of reported drug abusers under the age of 21 decreased by 15.5 per cent to 1,185 in the first quarter this year, when compared with 1,403 in the same period of 1995.
Among them, 467 were reported for the first time, representing a drop of 20.3 per cent against 586 last year. The other 718 were previously reported, showing a decrease of 12.1 per cent from 817.
For drug abusers of all ages, the figure showed a slight decrease of 0.3 per cent to 6,844 from 6,866 in the corresponding quarter last year.
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