ENG-1991 — Page 290

TRANSPORT

Shipping Services

Use of the passenger ferry terminals managed by the Marine Department is also on the increase. In 1991, the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui and the Macau Ferry Terminal in Central handled a total of 17.9 million passengers on routes to China and Macau of which 13.7 million used the Macau service and 4.2 million the China services. This throughput represented an increase of 6.4 per cent over 1990.

The implementation of the computer/radar Vessel Traffic System has been completed. This now plays a vital role in the monitoring of the movement of shipping in the waters of Hong Kong with the aims of enhancing safety and expediting navigation. Participation in the system is compulsory in that vessels are obliged to respond to the Vessel Traffic Centre of the Marine Department for information requested as well as to follow the advice or instructions that the centre may give.

The department's launches patrol the main harbour area and its approaches. They are in continuous radio contact with the Vessel Traffic Centre, thereby enabling them to respond to any emergency and fulfil the executive functions of the duty officer in the centre. Well-equipped fleets of fire boats, tugs, oil-pollution control vessels and marine police launches are also available to respond to emergencies in the harbour.

The full fleet of about 375 powered vessels maintained by the Marine Department is a highly visible part of the port. In addition to harbour patrol launches, fire boats and police vessels, the government has launches used for immigration, port health and customs clearance of international shipping and for the survey of international shipping. The fleet also comprises lighters, airport rescue craft, floating clinics and launches for transporting government staff. The department also maintains scavenging craft together with a contracted fleet of other craft who together collect and scavenge some 6 600 tonnes of refuse annually from ocean-going ships and the waters of Hong Kong.

All government vessels are specially designed to meet their users' needs. The Marine Department designs and procures new vessels, maintains the whole fleet, and mans and operates about 70 general purpose vessels. In 1991, the government awarded a $300-million contract to an Australian shipbuilder for the construction of six police patrol/command launches.

Bunkering facilities within the port are readily available to all vessels at commercial wharves and oil terminals, or from a large fleet of private bunkering barges. Fresh water can also be provided at alongside berths, or from a private fleet of fresh-water boats.

The port has extensive facilities for repairing, dry-docking and slipping all types of vessels, including oil rigs. Vessels of up to 150 000 deadweight tonnes can be accom- modated. A large number of small shipyards are available to undertake repairs to small vessels and build and maintain sophisticated patrol craft and pleasure vessels.

During the year, the government, including the Marine Department, Customs and Excise Department and the Marine Police introduced further measures to combat the increasing number of smuggling incidents involving pleasure vessels exporting goods to China. As a direct result of the measures taken, the number of such incidents was substantially reduced.

Hong Kong's economic success has resulted in constant growth of the territory's international trade. This has led to the large increase in size and number of ships visiting the port, and the consequential demand for accurate and up-to-date hydrographic surveying and charting services. The government intends to establish its own hydrographic office to perform these functions in order to better satisfy the needs of port users.

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