ENG-2012 — Page 274

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Transport

catamarans, to and from Macao and ports on the Mainland, making Hong Kong a port with one of the world's largest number of high-speed craft.

Hong Kong is a modern, well equipped deep-water port serving two main types of maritime transport: ocean-going vessels from all parts of the world and coastal and river-trade vessels from the Pearl River. A daily average of around 84 ocean-going vessels and nearly 440 river-trade vessels arrive at the port; and many high-speed ferries and local craft work in, or pass through, the harbour. Hong Kong's ship turnaround performance is among the best in the world: the average turnaround time for container vessels at the container terminals is estimated to be about 10 hours.

Port Development

Container handling facilities are a key part of the infrastructure of the logistics sector. The nine container terminals at the Kwai Chung-Tsing Yi area, which handle 76 per cent of Hong Kong Port throughput, have 24 berths with a total handling capacity of about 20 million TEUS per year.

The container port is vital to Hong Kong and also plays an important role in handling south China cargo. Almost 70 per cent of freight throughput handled by Hong Kong is related to southern China.

Strategic Planning

The Government is currently studying the technical feasibility of developing a new container terminal in the southwestern part of Tsing Yi Island. It has also commissioned a 'Study on the Strategic Development Plan for Hong Kong Port 2030' to update port cargo forecasts, to find ways of using existing port facilities more efficiently and to plan for the future development of the Hong Kong Port.

To strengthen Hong Kong's position as a regional hub port in the Asia-Pacific region, the Government is going to dredge the Kwai Tsing Container Port Basin and its approach channel to enable the new generation of ultra-large container ships to use the port at all tides.

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 and comprising industry representatives and senior government officials, advises the Government on port development strategies and facility planning to meet future demands. It also assists the Government in promoting Hong Kong as a regional hub port and a leading world container port.

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