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TRANSPORT

Chung. The CT9 will occupy an area of 68 hectares, with six berths and a design capacity enabling it to handle more than 2.6 million TEUS a year. The berths will come into operation in phases and the whole terminal is expected to be completed by 2005. It will help maintain Hong Kong's role as the premier port for southern China well into the 21st century.

Competition among the container terminals and among alternative modes of container handling motivates the operators to heighten efficiency and improve their quality of service. The continuing investment in upgrading equipment and systems in the existing terminals at Kwai Chung over the past few years has enabled the port to enhance its productivity.

The container port is vital, not only for Hong Kong, but also for southern China one of the fastest industrialising areas in the world. Some 76 per cent of container traffic handled by Hong Kong is related to southern China. The port of Hong Kong, therefore, is likely to remain as the Asia-Pacific region's hub port.

Strategic Planning

To ensure that the port facilities in Hong Kong meet the demands and there is timely provision of sufficient facilities to handle Hong Kong port's cargo growth following China's accession to the World Trade Organisation, a 'Study on Hong Kong Port Master Plan 2020' has commenced with the objective of formulating a competitive strategy and master plan for port development in the coming 20 years and beyond. The study focuses on strengthening the competitiveness of Hong Kong as a leading port in the region, the role of port operation in the development of transportation and logistics services in Hong Kong, and the preferred location of major container port and related infrastructure. It makes use of the recommendations in the Port Development Strategy Review, completed in 2001, as the foundation for analysis. As an integral part of the study, a new round of Port Cargo Forecasts has also commenced. The study is scheduled for completion in late 2003.

Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board

The Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board is a non-statutory body made up of members appointed by the Chief Executive. Formerly known as the Port Development Board, it was restructured and renamed in June 1998 to take on the additional task of promoting the Hong Kong shipping industry and Hong Kong as an international shipping centre.

Hong Kong is one of the few major international ports in the world where port facilities are fully privately owned and operated. The board provides the forum for the Government and private sectors to work together to maintain Hong Kong's status as a world-class port and an international maritime centre.

The Port Development Committee of the board recommends strategies for planning new port facilities. It also examines port cargo forecasts and assesses port development needs in the light of changing demand, port capacity, productivity, performance and competition both locally and regionally.

Hong Kong has a successful shipping industry with many well known and experienced shipowners, ship management

ship management companies and shipping-related companies. The Shipping Committee of the board formulates measures to promote synergy between the port, shipping and shipping-related industries, and to facilitate the operation of the shipping industry in Hong Kong.