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TRANSPORT

A joint study with the Canadian Government commenced in June to analyse traffic flow patterns in the waters of Hong Kong and to define a vessel traffic management system. This will help to maintain the excellent safety record of the port and facilitate the efficient flow of shipping through the waters of Hong Kong by providing the vessels with advance information of other vessel movement, concentration of fishing vessels, ferry movements and other navigational hazards.

A watch on shipping, fairways, typhoon shelters and cargo working areas is kept by Marine Department launch patrols. The launches are in continuous radio contact with the Port Communications Centre, enabling the centre to initiate and co-ordinate any action required in unusual circumstances. A fleet of fire-fighting vessels operated by the Fire Services Department is kept in a state of readiness, and units are stationed on both sides of the harbour.

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

There are extensive facilities in Hong Kong for repairing, maintaining and dry-docking or slipping all types of vessels up to about 228 metres in length and 26.8 metres beam. Five floating dry-docks are located off Tsing Yi Island, the largest of which is capable of lifting vessels of up to 100 000 tonnes deadweight. Hong Kong has a large number of minor shipyards equipped to undertake repairs to small vessels. These yards also build specialised craft including sophisticated pleasure craft and yachts.

Hong Kong is a prominent centre for the recruiting of seamen. The Seamen's Recruiting Office and the Mercantile Marine Office register and supervise the employment of approxi- mately 18 222 seamen on board 1 200 vessels of all flags. The Hong Kong Merchant Navy Training Board was reconstituted in 1982 as an advisory board to the Vocational Training Council. The board continues to assess the needs of local seamen, in particular the need for a seamen's training school in Hong Kong, having regard for the International Conference on Training and Certification of Seafarers, 1978, under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The Mariners' Clubs in Kowloon and Kwai Chung continue to provide recreation and welfare facilities to a high standard for visiting seamen of all nationalities.

Civil Aviation

I

There was a healthy increase in both passenger and cargo traffic at Hong Kong International Airport in 1982 despite the depressed state of the aviation industry in many other parts of the world.

A total of 8.6 million passengers passed through the airport, an increase of 5.2 per cent over the preceding year. The passenger growth rate was somewhat lower in comparison with the last few years, but in absolute numbers the increase of over 400 000 passengers was significant in view of the world-wide economic recession.

The carriage of air cargo during the year totalled 306 000 tonnes, an increase of about five per cent over 1981. The value of goods amounted to $61,000 million which was 8.9 per cent above the preceding year. Compared with Hong Kong's total trade in terms of value, imports by air accounted for about 21 per cent, exports for 26 per cent and re-exports for about 24 per cent. The United States remained the major market for Hong Kong's exports and re-exports by air and accounted for nearly 45 and 18 per cent of such products