ENG-2004 — Page 335

Transport 285

The Port

Hong Kong set a record in its container throughput in 2004 by handling 22 million TEUS (20-foot equivalent units of containers), making it the world's busiest container port for the 12th time in the past 13 years.

Being the busiest container port in the world, Hong Kong spares no effort to fulfill its obligation concerning maritime safety required by international conventions. Hong Kong implemented the Merchant Shipping (Security of Ships and Port Facilities) Ordinance on July 1 to comply with the new maritime security requirements set under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code adopted by the International Maritime Organisation.

About 450 760 vessels arrived in and departed from Hong Kong during the year. These vessels carried 221 million tonnes of cargo and about 20 million passengers. Most of these passengers commuted on the world's largest fleet of high-speed ferries, including jetfoils and jet catamarans, to and from Macao and ports in the Mainland.

Being the junction of two different forms of maritime transport

the large ocean-going vessels from the Pacific Ocean and the smaller, coastal and river trade craft from the Pearl River Hong Kong is a modern, well equipped deep-water harbour and the focal point of all maritime trading activities in southern China.

―

On an average day there are around 100 ocean-going ships working in the port; nearly 530 river trade craft entering or leaving the port; and many river ferries and local craft working in or passing through the harbour. Ship turnaround performance. is among the best in Asia: container ships at terminal berths are routinely turned around 10 hours or less, while vessels working cargo at buoys are in port for only 1.2 days on average.

Port Development

Container handling facilities are a key part of the infrastructure in the logistics. sector, one of the four pillar industries of Hong Kong. Matching the supply of port facilities with demand will ensure and facilitate economic growth for the community. The latest container terminal, the 6-berth Container Terminal 9 on Tsing Yi Island opposite the eight terminals at Kwai Chung, was completed in the year. This brings the total berths at Kwai Chung to 24, with a total handling capacity of over 18 million TEUS per year. The expansion of the Kwai Chung container terminals helps 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 terminals at Kwai Chung over the past few years has enabled the port to enhance its productivity.