ENG-1989 — Page 270

TRANSPORT

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Ferries

Ferry services are still an important way of crossing the harbour, and essential for regular and recreational trips to and from Hong Kong's outlying islands. The majority of ferry travel is provided by two franchised operators the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry

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Company Limited (HYF) and the Star Ferry Company Limited.

The Star Ferry Company operated 14 vessels across the harbour and, during the year, it carried 40 million passengers on its four routes. An 11 per cent fare increase was approved, effective from July 2, 1989.

In 1989, the parent company of HYF was re-named Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Company Limited. HYF owned 76 vessels and operated 26 ferry services, including passenger and/or vehicular services across the harbour, services to outlying islands, and vehicular charter services to Lantau. They carried 199 700 passengers and 13 800 vehicles daily. An average 19.5 per cent fare increase was approved in November 1989.

In 1989, the patronage of the company's cross-harbour ferry services continued to be eroded by new cross-harbour bus routes and the Mass Transit Railway. With the extension of the MTR Kwun Tong line across the harbour to Quarry Bay in August 1989 and the addition of new cross-harbour bus routes via the Eastern Harbour Crossing in September, there was further competition for cross-harbour travel. The further development of HYF's inner harbour ferry services has been examined by the Transport Department.

In addition to franchised ferry routes, nine minor ferry services were operated to or between outlying islands by six licensed operators. These were supplemented by kaitos, or local village ferry services, which were licensed to serve remote, coastal settlements. During the year, 123 kaitos were operated by 103 operators.

Port Development and Shipping Services

The port of Hong Kong has a sheltered, natural deep-water harbour and is navigable throughout the year. It is Hong Kong's most important natural resource.

Today Hong Kong is one of the world's busiest ports. Vessels of all shapes and sizes criss-cross the crowded harbour. During 1989 a total of 228 500 ships and craft used the waters of the port. This equates to one arrival or departure every 2.3 minutes. Ocean-going ships from more than 200 lines, flying the flags of 70 countries, trade between Hong Kong and world ports.

In addition to administering the port, the Marine Department is responsible for all aspects of Hong Kong's maritime affairs. The department employs 1 636 staff. In global terms, costs are fully recovered by fees and charges and the annual revenue and ex- penditure in 1989 was about $800 million.

There has been a trend by many governments to disengage from direct delivery of services to the public. The Hong Kong Government has always taken the view that it should not generally undertake activities which can be done commercially and thus more appropriately by the private sector. In many ways Hong Kong leads the world in this respect and the port is a good example.

The Marine Department is therefore not a Port Authority in the accepted sense, and many of the port facilities are privately owned and operated. The principal purpose of the department in relation to the port is to ensure that conditions exist for ships to enter port, work their cargoes and leave as quickly and safely as possible. The department must also consider overall port planning and development and reconcile as far as possible the often conflicting interests of terminal operators, port users and land interests.

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