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container terminal at an alternative site at southwest Tsing Yi. To strengthen Hong Kong's position as a regional hub port in the Asia-Pacific region, the Government is taking forward a project to dredge the Kwai Tsing Container Port Basin and its approach to allow the new generation of ultra-large container ships to call at the port in all tidal conditions.

Hong Kong Port Development Council

In Hong Kong, all container terminal facilities are financed, developed, owned and operated by the private sector. The Government's role is to undertake long-term strategic planning for port facilities and to provide the necessary supporting infrastructure, such as roads and channels to the terminals.

The Hong Kong Port Development Council (PDC), chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, is a high-level advisory body comprising key industry players and senior government officials. The PDC advises the Government on port development strategies 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 has been formed under the PDC to assist the council in examining port cargo forecasts and assessing port development needs in the light of changing demand, port capacity, productivity, performance and competition, in Hong Kong and the region.

Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council

The Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council (MIC) is a high-level advisory body chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Housing. Comprising industry leaders and senior government officials, it advises the Government on the formulation of measures and initiatives to develop further Hong Kong's maritime industry. It also assists the Government in promoting Hong Kong's maritime services and its status as an international maritime centre.

There are two task forces under the MIC. They are the Human Resources Task Force which handles education, training and manpower supply issues, and the Maritime Services Task Force which deals with promoting the industry and strengthening its competitiveness.

Over the years, the MIC has launched various sponsorship and scholarship schemes to support manpower development for the maritime sector. It has also undertaken missions to promote Hong Kong's maritime services to local and overseas markets. In 2010, it has, amongst other things, provided scholarships to students of selected post-graduate programmes in maritime services and maritime law. A Maritime Awareness Week was also jointly organised by MIC and the industry to promote awareness of the contribution of the sector to the Hong Kong economy and the various career opportunities available at sea and ashore, as well as to celebrate the Year of the Seafarer as designated by the International Maritime Organisation and the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Shipping Register. The