ENG-1983 — Page 222

TRANSPORT

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excellent safety record of the port and facilitate the efficient flow of shipping through the waters of Hong Kong.

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 with units 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 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 approximately 12 000 seamen on board 1000 vessels of all flags. Considerable attention has also been given to meeting the training requirements of local seamen, particularly through the establishment of a temporary seamen's training school at Little Sai Wan, having regard for the International Conference on Training and Certification of Seafarers 1978 under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation. The training school will be commissioned in early 1984. The Mariners' Clubs in Kowloon and Kwai Chung provide recreation and welfare facilities to a high standard for visiting seamen of all nationalities.

Examinations for certificates of competency as deck and marine engineer officers are held regularly at the Examination Centre of the Crews Division. These certificates are recog- nised by the United Kingdom Department of Trade and receive Commonwealth validity.

Civil Aviation

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There was an increase of about two per cent in passenger traffic and a healthy growth of 20 per cent in air cargo movements at Hong Kong International Airport during 1983. Passenger traffic growth slowed down because of the world-wide unfavourable economic climate. Air freight, on the other hand, increased significantly over the previous year indicating the usual resilience and competitiveness of Hong Kong's industries.

A total of 8.8 million passengers passed through the airport, an increase of about 190 000 over the preceding year. Goods shipped by air to and from Hong Kong totalled 368 000 tonnes, an increase of 20.4 per cent over 1982.

The value of goods amounted to $78,000 million, 25.7 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 29 per cent and re-exports for about 25 per cent. The United States continued to be the major market for Hong Kong's exported and re-exported items by air and accounted for about 48 per cent and 17 per cent of such products respectively. Japan accounted for about 24 per cent of Hong Kong's imports by air.