ENG-2008 — Page 323

Transport 259

either support the department's own port operations or serve other departments that do not have their own fleets.

Since 1999, the department has been awarding contracts to private operators to provide conveyance launches, tugboats and other marine transport services for the department. At present, it has a total of 22 contracted vessels.

Government Dockyard

The Government Dockyard is responsible for the design, procurement and maintenance of all government vessels. It occupies a site of 9.8 hectares on Stonecutters Island and has a protected water basin of 8.3 hectares as one of the operational bases of the Marine Department. For repair and maintenance of vessels, the dockyard has 12 covered docking and repair sheds and over 22 open-yard docking cradle spaces, supported by a ship-lift system and three ship-hoists capable of dry docking vessels of up to 750 tonnes.

During the year, 40 new vessels, costing $57 million, were built for the Government and five new shipbuilding contracts, worth $121 million, were awarded to shipbuilders in Hong Kong and overseas.

Marine Facilities

The Civil Engineering and Development Department is responsible for the planning, design and construction of public marine facilities including piers, beacons, offshore helipads, breakwaters, seawalls, navigation channels and anchorage areas. In 2008, the department continued the planning of a new public landing facility at Lei Yue Mun, and the construction of Sai Kung Public Pier No. 2. The department also completed the construction of Seawall Upgrading Works for Ma On Shan Waterfront Promenade.

Hong Kong is one of the world's busiest ports, and the department plays an important role in keeping the port running smoothly. As the maintenance authority for all civil engineering marine works, the department carries out maintenance work on ferry piers and other public and government marine facilities, as well as maintenance dredging of the harbour and some major river channels. The department currently maintains 506 hectares of typhoon shelters, seven kilometres of quay at public cargo working areas, 122 kilometres of seawalls and breakwaters, 313 public piers and landing steps, 96 dolphins (mooring structures), 14 100 hectares of fairways and 3 590 hectares of anchorage areas.

International Transport and Logistics Hub

Logistics is an important sector of the economy, accounting for 5 per cent of Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product. Given its strategic location, world class infrastructure and business-friendly environment, Hong Kong has long established itself as a preferred transport and logistics hub in Asia. It is also the world's busiest international air cargo centre and one of the world's busiest container ports. These achievements are attributed to the operators of the services and facilities. the