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legislation to establish the new Hong Kong Shipping Register, which came into operation on December 3, 1990. The Merchant Shipping (Registration) Ordinance was enacted to establish the register, and a number of amendments were made to the Merchant Shipping Ordinance and the Merchant Shipping (Safety) Ordinance to give effect to the steering group's recommendations. In addition, a major step is being taken in establishing in- dependent legislation by replacing 31 sets of United Kingdom merchant shipping safety regulations with local regulations.

The new Hong Kong Shipping Register reflects the government's commitment to the highest international standards of maritime safety without overlooking commercial realities. Its supporting legislation embodies internationally-based standards for vessel construction, equipment and manning and is consistent with Hong Kong's obligations under International Maritime Organisation and International Labour Organisation con- ventions, including those on safety of life at sea, training and certification of crew, and protection of the marine environment.

Civil Aviation

Following the decision in October 1989 to build a replacement international airport at Chek Lap Kok, the government has embarked on detailed planning and design studies of the airport itself, and other projects relating to the provision of access infrastructure and support community. A Provisional Airport Authority, as a forerunner to a fully autono- mous Airport Authority, was established in April this year to assume responsibility for the airport project.

A sixteen-month consultancy was commissioned by the Provisional Airport Authority and commenced in July to carry out a combined Master Planning, Civil Engineering Design, and Environmental Impact Assessment Study.

The consultancy will recommend the size and layout of the airport and prepare a schematic design for the passenger terminal complex. It will also determine the optimum civil engineering design for the formation of the airport site, and recommend mitigation measures for any adverse environmental impact arising from the construction and subsequent operation of the new airport.

The target opening date of the airport is early 1997. This is a very tight timeframe and works for the new airport and its associated access infrastructure have been programmed accordingly.

In the meantime, the government has embarked on a series of improvement projects at the existing Kai Tak Airport in order to ensure it can cater for increased passenger and cargo throughput until the new airport is ready.

Action is being taken to increase aircraft parking capacity at Kai Tak from the present 48 parking bays to 68. This involves extension of the aircraft parking apron onto the Kowloon Bay Reclamation and land to the east of the airport. New parking bays will be completed in three stages in late-1992, mid-1993 and end-1993.

To improve the taxiway system serving the existing cargo and long-term aprons, work commenced in November to construct a taxiway bridge across the nullah. It is scheduled for completion in January 1992.

Another major improvement programme, which commenced in April, involves renovation of the older part of the passenger terminal. The programme, which involves the refurbishment of building finishes, the air-conditioning system, the check-in islands and

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