ENG-2009 — Page 329

Transport 261

Since 1999, the department had been awarding contracts to private operators to provide conveyance launches, tugboats and other marine transport services for the department. At present, it has 24 contracted vessels.

Government Dockyard

The Government Dockyard, managed by the Government Fleet Division, 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, 69 new vessels, costing $170 million, were built for the Government and 14 new shipbuilding contracts, worth $10 million, were awarded to shipbuilders in Hong Kong and overseas. The total expenditure in maintaining the Government Dockyard systems and Government fleet is near to $410 million.

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 2009, the department continued the planning and design of a new public landing facility at Lei Yue Mun, and commenced construction of a new slipway at Tai O. The department also completed building the Sai Kung New Public Pier.

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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 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, 123 kilometres of seawalls and breakwaters, 314 public piers and landing steps, 96 dolphins (mooring structures), 14 100 hectares of fairways and 3 590 hectares of anchorage areas. The department also ensures that regular maintenance dredging of the harbour and some major river channels are carried out.

International Transport and Logistics Hub

Logistics is an important sector of the economy, accounting for five 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 investors and the efficient workforce, as well as the constructive partnership and co-operation between the private and public sectors.