ENG-1996 — Page 347

PORT DEVELOPMENT

The PDB has forecast that by 2006 some 93 million tonnes of freight will be carried by river and this will rise to some 139 million tonnes in 2016. In 1994 some 24 per cent of river cargoes was containerised. By 1995 this had reached 32 per cent and forecasts predict that it will reach 40 per cent by 2016.

Work on the construction of Hong Kong's first River Trade Terminal (RTT), specifically designed to handle river cargoes, got under way near Tuen Mun in the north-west New Territories. This location means that many river vessels will be able to avoid the busy Ma Wan Channel. The first phase of the RTT is planned to begin operation in 1998.

Port Cargo Forecasts

According to the latest Port Cargo Forecasts, container throughput is expected to reach 39 million TEUS by 2016. This reflects an average growth rate of 5.9 per cent annually. Total cargo to be put through the port in 2016 would be in the order of 453 million tonnes, growing by 5.4 per cent each year.

The PDB's Port Cargo Forecasts are the basis of the government's Port Development Plan and Programme. The forecasts are revised every two years to ensure that they are kept as up-to-date as possible. The next forecasts will be published in early 1998.

In compiling the forecasts, the PDB takes into account trends in Hong Kong as well as projected growth of the world economy, the economy of China, particularly southern China, expected competition from regional and Chinese ports and likely changes in the related shipping and cargo patterns. The PDB reviews its forecasts frequently and regularly. It is clear that cargo demand in this part of the world. continues to grow. And, even as new ports spring up in other parts of southern China, it is apparent that Hong Kong's share in meeting that demand will continue to be substantial.

Indeed, the development of these new Chinese ports is expected to stimulate growth and facilitate the further development of the economy. That will be good not only for China but also for Hong Kong. The additional traffic will increase the chance of additional shipping calls at Hong Kong and enhance its maritime support services. Any spur to competition can only be good for Hong Kong. As all sides recognise, the new ports will be complementary to Hong Kong and vice versa and this will help to ensure continuing high standards and quality of service in Hong Kong.

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 (ships 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 container handling.

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