ENG-1990 — Page 292

TRANSPORT

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SF operated 12 vessels across the harbour and, during the year, carried 38 million passengers on its three routes. Fares ranged from $1 to $1.50.

HYF owned 73 licensed vessels and operated 26 ferry routes, including passenger and vehicular services across the harbour, services to outlying islands and charter services. In 1990, the company carried 144 500 passengers and 7 500 vehicles daily. Cross-harbour passenger fares ranged from $2.80 to $3.80 and outlying islands fares from $4 to $18.

Patronage on HYF's cross-harbour services further declined as competition from other modes intensified with the opening of the Eastern Harbour Crossing. The long-term business prospects for HYF are now being examined.

Eight minor ferry services were operated 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, 118 kaitos were operated by 103 operators.

The Port

Hong Kong's most important natural resource after its people is its good deep-water harbour. The port of Hong Kong is one of the world's busiest and handles about 90 per cent of the territory's trade. Vessels of all descriptions ply the busy harbour daily. During 1990, there was one ocean-going ship arrival or departure every 13 minutes.

The Hong Kong Government has always taken the view that it generally should not undertake activities which can be done commercially, and often more efficiently, by the private sector. In many ways Hong Kong leads the world in this respect and the port is a good example. Many of the port facilities, such as the container terminals and dockyards, are privately owned and operated.

The port as a whole is administered by the Marine Department, which is responsible for all aspects of Hong Kong's maritime affairs. The principal function 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 Director of Marine is the Pilotage Authority and is advised by the Pilotage Advisory Committee. The authority has wide powers to regulate and control the pilotage service although the pilots themselves operate as a private company. Tugs are also privately owned and operated. Ships over 5 000 gross registered tonnes are required to engage pilots to enter the port.

Immigration and quarantine facilities for vessels calling at Hong Kong are available round the clock at the Western Quarantine Anchorage. At the Eastern Quarantine Anchorage, these services are available between 6 am and 6 pm daily and, in the case of the quarantine service, on request through the Vessel Traffic Centre. These services, including advance clearance, may be applied for by radio.

The Marine Department provides and maintains 75 mooring buoys within the port for ships to work their cargo in the stream. These moorings are classified as 'A Class' and 'B Class' and are suitable for vessels up to 183 and 137 metres in length respectively. All these are typhoon moorings to which vessels may remain secured during tropical storms, so improving efficiency and reducing operational costs.

A variety of harbour craft play a significant role in the efficient running of the port. During the year over 2 100 lighters and 400 motorised cargo boats transported cargo to and from ocean-going ships moored at the anchorages and buoys in the harbour, and private or public cargo working areas ashore.