ENG-1995 — Page 294

TRANSPORT

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An enhancement project is in progress to cope with the increase in passenger throughput at the China Ferry Terminal. In 1995, one conventional ferry berth was converted into three high-speed ferry berths. Extra handrails were installed at the arrival hall to improve crowd control. The next phase includes the installation of additional immigration counters. It is expected to start in 1996 and be completed by mid-1997.

Immigration and Quarantine Services

Immigration and quarantine services, including advance clearance, may be applied for by radio through a ship's agent. The Western Quarantine Anchorage provides these services round the clock, while services are available between 6 am and 6 pm daily at the Eastern Quarantine Anchorage. An immigration anchorage which provides services at Tuen Mun between 1 am and 11 am is a particularly convenient facility for river trade vessels not intending to enter the central harbour.

Mooring Buoys

The department provides and maintains 67 buoys within the port for ships to work cargo in the stream. The buoys can be booked through the VTC. Most are typhoon moorings, where vessels may remain secured during tropical storms.

As a result of reclamations, the arrangement of mooring buoys has been reviewed and planning is under way to expand and improve the provision of harbour moorings - from 1996.

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Bunkering

Bunkering is readily available at commercial wharves and oil terminals, or from a large fleet of private bunkering barges. Fresh water can also be provided alongside berths, or from a private fleet of water boats.

Ship Repair and Dry-docking

The port has extensive facilities for repairing, dry-docking and slipping all types of vessels of up to 150 000 dead-weight tonnes, including oil rigs. A floating dock, with a lifting capacity of 40 000 gross tonnes, has recently come into service. Smaller shipyards are able to build and maintain workboats and pleasure vessels. The department provides a free inspection and advice service to promote safe working practices in ship repairing, ship-breaking and cargo-handling afloat.

Reception of Marine Wastes

The department provides refuse-collection services for ocean-going vessels and picks up refuse floating in the harbour. An average of 4 800 tonnes of refuse is collected annually. Floating refuse remains a nuisance to the general public and inter- departmental effort has been made to tackle problem. The existing refuse collection and scavenging services will be expanded over the next few years.

A chemical waste treatment centre on Tsing Yi Island provides reception facilities for oily and chemical wastes from ships, as required under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. Fees are levied by quantity.