TNAG-1630-FCO40-2246-Visits-by-Hong-Kong-Government-officials-to-China--the-UK-an-1987 — Page 106

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Port planning has recently commanded a role of major importance in

It is becoming increasingly apparent that an efficient and well

Hong Kong.

planned port

infrastructure.

is a wajor anu essential part of Hong Kong's

economic

Port Development Strategy Study

In early 1985, a Port Development Strategy Study was conducted by the

Marine Department to identify clearly the demands likely to be placed on the

port until the year 2001. The first phase of the Study took as its

start-point the trade forecasts up to the year 2001. These economic and trade

projections made some heroic assumptions about the level of activities which

were likely to reed to be conducted through the port. Major industrial

organisations in Hong Kong were consulted on the Government's initial

findings. They agreed the findings in the trade forecasts, which indicated

long term tonnage throughput growth rates of the order of 8% per annum. The

trade forecasts were categorised by commodities, by countries of origin and of

destination, and by likely transhipment trade. In tonnage terms, it was

forecast that the port would be handling about 180 million tons per annum by

2001, compared with just over 60 million tons in 1986 - a threefold increase.

The second phase of the exercise was to consider how the commodities

identified would be carried to and from Bong Kong. Would they be by large or

small ships; by river trade or ocean-towing vessels; by break-bulk or by

container etc. This phase of the exercise indicated the number and types of

vessels which were expected by the year 2001. From this was deduced the port

facilities which were required to support the estimated levels of activities.

In the third phase of the exercise, the need for additional facilities

by 2001 was assessed on the assumption that the trade forecasts were correct

and having regard to projects which were already committed (including

Container Terminals 6 and 7). To meet the projected demand, a requirement was

identified for the following additional facilities during the next 15 years