ENG-1956 — Page 267

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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

readiness, together with other fire fighting craft suitable for work in the shallower waters of the Colony.

Regular services are maintained by 17 shipping lines to Europe and the United Kingdom; 18 to the North American continent; 8 to Australia and New Zealand; as well as lines to Africa and South America, and innumerable lines to Asian ports from Yokohama to Karachi. Moreover the attractive and efficient facilities available for the handling of cargo and passengers in the port have convinced traders that it is economical and generally beneficial to their interests to use Hong Kong as a warehousing, transhipping and bunkering point.

Safe berths are available to all vessels with drafts up to 36', at all states of the tide. Commercial wharves can accom- modate vessels up to 750' in length and a maximum of 32′ in draft and the Government maintains for hire 53 moorings, 18 of which are specially designed to withstand typhoon conditions.

Cargo-handling compares favourably with the most ad- vanced ports. Efficient, modern methods, a plentiful supply of labour, lighterage, road-transport and experienced staffs, capable of undertaking any operation from the stowage of special cargoes to the handling of heavy-lifts and bulk oils, make the Port popular with all connected with shipping. 750,000 measurement tons (mainland) and 230,000 measure- ment tons (island) of godown space is equipped for ordinary, refrigerated and dangerous goods storage.

Ships bunkers are supplied by 3 of the major oil com- panies, whilst coal and fresh water can be supplied alongside at any berth in the Port or at the oil-installation wharves. The supply of fresh water is generally only restricted in the dry winter months.

There are 11 cross-harbour ferry services, including one passenger/vehicular service, which operate frequent schedules