ENG-1974 — Page 198

COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT

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equipment and large container freight stations. Berths 1, 2 and 3 are operated respec- tively by Modern Terminals, Kowloon Container Warehouse Company and Sea-Land Orient. The approach channel to Kwai Chung is dredged to give a depth of 40 feet at chart datum over a width of 1,100 feet. Interim container berths within Victoria Harbour are located at Tsim Sha Tsui, North Point and Hung Hom-these are operated respectively by the Hong Kong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company, North Point Wharves, and Whampoa Terminals.

Good bunkering facilities are provided in the port and vessels may be supplied with fuel oil from either the wharves at the oil terminals or from a fleet of harbour oilers. Fresh water is obtainable at commercial wharves or from water boats which service vessels at anchor or at government mooring buoys.

Hong Kong United Dockyards, formed in 1973 by the amalgamation of the Taikoo Dockyard and Engineering Company and the Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Company, has extensive facilities for the repair, maintenance and drydocking or slipping of all types and class of vessels up to 35,000 deadweight tons in the case of bulk oil tankers, or 750 feet in length and 88 feet beam in the case of passenger liners. It also has drydocks capable of docking vessels up to 25,000 deadweight tons. Additionally, the Island Navigation Corporation operates a floating drydock with a lifting capacity of 100,000 deadweight tons. Minor shipyards in Hong Kong continue to flourish with more than 170 slipways equipped to undertake repairs to small vessels. These shipyards have also developed a capacity for building specialised craft, partic- ularly sophisticated pleasure craft and yachts.

Hong Kong continues to maintain a prominent role as a centre of recruitment for seamen and more than 30,000, out of a total of more than 81,000 locally registered seamen, are serving on board some 1,500 British and foreign flag vessels. The Seamen's Recruiting Office and the Mercantile Marine Office combine to register and supervise the employment of seamen on board vessels of all flags. The Mariners' Club in Kowloon provides recreational and welfare facilities of a high standard for visiting seamen of all nationalities.

The proximity of Hong Kong to Macau continues to attract both tourists and residents to Macau. The facilities at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal on Hong Kong Island are being improved. The volume of passenger traffic on the route has increased from 1.34 million in 1963 to more than 4.48 million in 1974.

During the year the port was free of any major incidents. In May, a complete reorganisation of the Eastern Harbour took place following completion of the airport runway extension. This involved the delineation of the eastern fairway, establishment of a prohibited area and a prohibited anchorage, and the resiting of the eastern dangerous goods anchorage in Junk Bay. The first of a series of five new cargo handl- ing basins for lighters and small craft, which will be under the direct control of the Marine Department, was opened in July at Wan Chai on the Hong Kong Island waterfront. This cargo basin can accommodate 21 lighters (100-foot) and 28 standard motor cargo boats at any given time. Parking space is provided for 134 lorries. Fees are charged on a time basis for the use of the facilities, providing an incentive towards quick turn-round of both vessels and lorries.