ENG-1978 — Page 221

COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT

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While the tonnage of cargo carried in containers continues to increase, a considera- ble amount of dry cargo handled in Hong Kong is still transported at some stage by about 1,900 lighters and junks. The ratio of mechanised junks has slightly decreased to about 37 per cent of the total. Shipboard cargo gear is normally used for loading and discharging cargo alongside wharves or in the stream, but floating heavy lift cranes are available when required.

Modern equipment that helps to achieve the rapid turn-round of ships has been brought into use by the wharf and godown companies. A recent sample survey revealed that, on average, conventional ships working cargo at buoys are in port for 2.8 days and containerships are here for just 214 hours including steaming, berthing and un- berthing time. These are probably the fastest turn-round times for ships in the Far East. A mobile floating roll-on-roll-off ramp is operated by one of the Kwai Chung Container Terminal operators. Nearby at Tsuen Wan, there is a 16-storey godown with a usable floor area of 140,000 square metres; this godown is equipped with con- tainer lifts serving all floors.

Most wharves and terminals are provided and operated by private enterprise and they are capable of accommodating vessels of up to 305 metres in length, with draughts of up to 12.2 metres. Facilities in the public sector include the Hong Kong- Macau Ferry Terminal and the public cargo working areas at Wan Chai, Yau Ma Tei, Tsuen Wan and Kwun Tong; the latter two being declared open in January and July respectively. These areas are administered by the Marine Department. Government policy calls for the continued provision of public cargo working areas throughout Hong Kong to keep internal cargo movement swift and efficient.

Within the port, there are 71 mooring buoys operated and maintained by the Marine Department for ocean-going vessels. Of these, 43 are suitable for vessels of up to 183 metres in length and the remainder for ships of up to 135 metres in length. The moorings include 60 special typhoon buoys, which are located so that ships can remain secured to them during tropical storms. This obviates unnecessary ship move- ments, thus helping to maintain efficiency and reduce operational costs. Safe an- chorages are available for deep draught vessels.

There is considerable tourist and other sea passenger traffic between Hong Kong and Macau, and facilities at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal on Hong Kong Island have been expanded and improved. In 1978, more than 5.7 million passengers were carried by the jetfoils, hydrofoils and conventional ferries plying this route. A significant development during the year was the introduction, on November 15, of a passenger hoverferry service between Hong Kong and Whampoa in China by the Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited.

For ships calling at Hong Kong, quarantine and immigration facilities are available on a 24-hour basis at the Western Quarantine Anchorage and from 6.30am to 6.00pm at the Eastern Quarantine Anchorage. Ships are normally cleared inwards on arrival and large passenger vessels are processed on the way to their allocated berths. Advance immigration clearance and radio pratique may be obtained by certain vessels on application.

Pilotage in Hong Kong is not compulsory, but is considered advisable because of the density of traffic and the scale of harbour works continually undertaken. The Pilotage Authority in Hong Kong is the Director of Marine.