TNAG-1609-FCO40-22131-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 98

Airport and port

-

· 20 -

بجو

Finally, Sir, I turn to the development of the

port and the possibility of constructing a replacement for

Kai Tak. These are two of the most exciting projects for

the years ahead. They involve major investment decisions

for Hong Kong and to enable us to examine the full

implications, we are proceeding urgently with a series of

consultancy studies.

44.

As far as the port is concerned, Members will be

aware that we have already called tenders for Terminal 7.

When completed in 1993, Terminals 6 and 7 between them will

almost double Kwai Chung's container handling capacity. By

the end of next year, we will have the information

necessary to decide on the locations of Terminals 8 and 9.

The container port is under great pressure and I have no

doubt that we shall need these additional facilities. Kwai

Chung, in terms of throughput, is now the second busiest

container port in the world, and if the trend continues, it

will not be long before we hold the No. 1 place. The

ability to move our imports and exports efficiently is of

vital importance to our economic well-being.

3