ENG-1996 — Page 319

TRANSPORT

franchised buses totalled 5 407 vehicles, of which 306 were double-deckers. An increasing proportion of these vehicles were air-conditioned.

Marine Facilities

The Technical Services Division of the Civil Engineering Department inspects and maintains public marine facilities including public piers and landings, public cargo- working areas and light beacon structures. It oversees the maintenance dredging of fairways and mooring buoys.

In 1996, the Port Works Division of the Civil Engineering Department started the construction of the Hei Ling Chau typhoon shelter, the Sok Kwu Wan pier, Gemini Point pier and three public piers at Sai Kung. It also made plans for two typhoon shelters at Siu Lam and Peng Chau.

The Port

The port handles about 90 per cent, by weight, of Hong Kong's trade. In 1996, it remained the world's busiest container port, handling some 13.2 million TEUS (20- foot equivalent units). It also remained one of the busiest in terms of vessel arrivals and departures, and cargo and passenger throughput.

About 437 000 ocean-going and river-trade vessels arrived in Hong Kong during the year. These vessels handled more than 156 million tonnes of cargo and around 21 million international passengers, most of whom were carried on the world's largest fleet of high-speed ferries.

Container handling, vessel arrivals and departures, cargo, and passenger numbers saw a growth rate in 1996 of 5.6 per cent, 1.6 per cent, 0.1 per cent and 1.0 per cent, respectively, compared with 1995. Details of international movements of vessels, passengers and cargo are given at Appendix 40.

Port Administration

The Marine Department administers the port. Its principal function is to ensure safety of navigation and efficiency of shipping activities in the waters of Hong Kong. This is achieved by comprehensive traffic management, harbour patrol, vessel traffic services, provision of mooring buoys and rigorous enforcement of major international maritime conventions.

Advice from users and operators of port facilities is an important element in port administration. The department maintains close liaison with shipping and commercial organisations through a number of advisory committees. These include the Port Development Board, which advises the government on port planning and development; the Shipping Consultative Committee, which advises on the efficient operation of the Hong Kong Shipping Register and Hong Kong's effective participation in the International Maritime Organisation; the Port Operations Committee, which is concerned with the operational needs of the port; the Pilotage Advisory Committee which advises on all matters relating to marine pilotage services; and the Provisional Local Vessel Advisory Committee, which advises on local craft

matters.

The Marine Department launched its home page on the Internet in January 1996 to facilitate the flow of information to its clients both in Hong Kong and overseas.

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