ENG-2005 — Page 319

Transport 273

Chung-Tsing Yi 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 81 per cent of container traffic handled by Hong Kong is related to southern China.

Strategic Planning

To ensure that port facilities in Hong Kong meet demands and provide sufficient facilities as they are needed to handle the port's cargo growth following China's accession to the World Trade Organisation, the Government completed the 'Study on Hong Kong Port Master Plan 2020′ at the end of 2004. The study recommended a package of immediate and long-term initiatives to enhance the competitiveness of the port. The Government, following the study's recommendations, commissioned consultants to update the port cargo forecast to work out the optimal timing for the construction of Container Terminal 10 and conduct an ecology study on Northwest Lantau to assess its environmental suitability for the development of container terminals. These two studies are expected to be completed in late 2006 and early 2007 respectively.

Hong Kong Port Development Council

In Hong Kong, all container terminal facilities are financed, developed, owned and operated by the private sector, a practice adopted by few major international ports in the world. The Government's role is to undertake long-term strategic planning for port facilities and provide the necessary supporting infrastructure, such as building roads and dredging access channels to the terminals.

The Hong Kong Port Development Council (PDC), chaired by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, is a dedicated, high-level advisory body comprising key players from the private sector and the Government which discusses and coordinates port development and promotion. The PDC advises the Government on the port development strategy and port facility planning to meet future demands. It also assists the Government in promoting Hong Kong as a regional hub port and a leading container port in the world.

A Port Development Advisory Group, formed under the PDC, assists the council in examining port cargo forecasts and assessing port development needs in the light of changing demand, port capacity, productivity, performance and competition both locally and regionally.

Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council

The Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council (MIC), another high-level dedicated advisory body chaired by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour and made up of key players of the private sector and Government officials, advises the Government on the formulation of measures and initiatives to further develop Hong Kong's maritime industry. It also assists the Government in promoting the