1993 — Page 17

主席報告

Chairman's Statement

溢利

本集團截至一九九三年十二月三十一日止財政年度 之除稅及少數股東權益後之綜合純利為九千九百七 十萬港元,較一九九二年之財政年度上升百分之十 三。每股盈利為四十五點三仙,而一九九二年為四 十點二仙。

股息

董事會建議派發末期股息每股二十七仙。此末期股 息,連同已派發之中期股息每股八仙,全年合共派 發三十五仙。

業務回顧

渡輪業輪

渡輪業務於一九九三年度虧損二千六百萬港元。經 營成本持續高於收入。年內,集團並未能獲得港府 批准提高本地渡輪服務票價。

兩艘新購置之雙體船已按計劃於一九九三年下半年 投入服務,行走屯門至中環航線。該兩航艘船隻於 週日早上繁忙時間經常客滿,但在非繁忙時間,乘 客量則明顯下跌,致令該兩艘船隻需要調往行走澳 門航線。儘管上述難題一直在集團預料之中,但權 衡之下,集團仍認為改善本港市民之渡輪服務,實 至為重要。

地產投資

年內地產投資繼續為本集團帶來主要之溢利來源。 各項出租物業租用率均令人滿意;連同一九九二年 十一月購入位於油塘之建發工商業中心在內,租金 收入共達一億一千五百萬港元,增幅為百分之二十 九。

船廠業務

香港船廠之業務及利潤均有令人滿意之增長。與集 團本身渡輪業務無關之維修工作,佔整體業務百分 之三十八。維修行走珠江三角洲地區高速客輪之收 入,在一九九三年增加百分之七十八。此外,船廠 又獲英國國防部委任,負責駐港皇家海軍孔雀級巡 邏艦之維修服務。

其他業務

貿易部之經營溢利上升百分之七十六,達九百二十 萬港元。旅遊部則由於市道欠佳,以致虧損六百七 十萬港元:該部門業務現已重組,以扭轉不利形 勢。在投資上市股票方面,成績滿意,年內售出股 票之利潤為一千八百三十萬港元。

Profit

The Group's consolidated net profit after taxation and minority interests for the financial year ended 31st December 1993 amounted to HK$99.7 million, representing an increase of 13% over that of 1992. Earnings per share was 45.3 cents as compared with 40.2 cents in 1992.

Dividend

The Board of Directors recommended a final dividend of 27 cents per share. This dividend, together with the interim dividend of 8 cents per share already paid, will make a total distribution of 35 cents for the full

year.

Business Review

Ferry Operations

The ferry operations recorded a loss of HK$26 million for the year 1993. Operational costs continued to outpace revenues. The approval for the fare increase in respect of the local ferry operations has not been obtained from the Government during the year.

The two new Catamarans have been put into service as scheduled in the second half of 1993 and has achieved full load in the route Tuen Mun to Central in the rush hours of weekday mornings. However, during the off

peak hours, patronage dropped significantly and the vessels have to be redeployed in the Macau route. This difficulty has at all times been anticipated by the Group and has been weighted against the needs to improve ferry services to the community.

Property Investment

During the year under review. property investment continued to provide the major profit contribution to the Group. The occupancy rates of the rental properties are satisfactory and the rental income, including the contribution from Kingsford Industrial Centre at Yau Tong acquired in November 1992, increased by 29% to HK$115 million.

Shipyard Operation

The Hong Kong Shipyard has recorded a satisfactory increase in business as well as profits, with outside works unrelated to the Group's ferry operations accounting for 38% of the total business. Revenues for maintenance of high speed passenger crafts serving in the Pearl River Delta area increased by 78% in 1993 and the Shipyard has been appointed by the Ministry of Defence in U.K. to provide exclusive maintenance service to the Peacock class patrol crafts of the Royal Navy in Hong Kong.

Other Businesses

The Trading Division has recorded a growth of 76% in operating profit to HK$9.2 million. The Travel Division has incurred a loss of HK$6.7 million due to poor market condition and has now been restructured with active steps being taken to reverse the unsatisfactory situation. Investments in publicly-quoted shares have been rewarding and have given rise to a profit of HK$18.3 million for the year.

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