ENG-1995 — Page 314

PORT DEVELOPMENT

Lantau Port Container Berths

The current configuration is that each berth will have a 320-metre quayface with a terminal area of about 20 hectares and be supported by 10 hectares of off-terminal back-up land. This back-up area will be used for container storage, repair and refurbishment, as well as godowns, container freight storage facilities and lorry and trailer parking.

Depths alongside will accommodate post-Panamax vessels (which are so big they cannot use the Panama Canal) and the quays are designed for container gantry cranes with an outreach of 45 metres to service these larger vessels. The terminals will have sufficient flexibility to incorporate automated systems of handling containers.

Initially, marine access to CT10 and CT11 will be from the east using a short channel dredged from the East Lamma Channel/Victoria Harbour approaches. Dredging of the West Lamma Channel will be required with the construction of CT12. Its six berths will be on a central island facing south whose access will be by road bridges at the eastern end of the development. CT13 will provide a further four berths on a linked island developed close to Kau Yi Chau. Scope will exist for north- facing berths to be introduced on the central island as the final stage of development (Container Terminal 14).

Lantau Port Ancillary Works

Within the Lantau Port, River Trade Terminals are being planned to act as an import/export link for Pearl River cargoes going through the container port. The economic viability of these terminals would be reviewed in the light of eventual experience of operation of the RTT at Tuen Mun. These dedicated wharves would provide a sheltered basin with 2 000 metres of quays when fully developed.

Dockyard support facilities and new typhoon shelters are also planned as part of the ancillary works, as is a marine services support area, centrally located for both Victoria Harbour and the new port. This will provide a harbour for tugs, pilot boats, launches and floating cranes as well as shore support facilities for servicing and maintenance. As these ancillary works develop, it may become necessary to relocate floating docks presently operating off North Lantau.

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