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Transport

ferries have discount fares for the elderly and children and some PLB routes run concessionary fare schemes.

Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities

To encourage the elderly and eligible persons with disabilities to participate more in community activities, the government implemented the Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities on the MTR, franchised buses and ferries in phases between June 2012 and March 2013. Those eligible can travel on most MTR, franchised bus and ferry services at a concessionary fare of $2 per trip any time. As at the end of 2014, the average daily number of passenger trips under the scheme was about 732,500. The scheme was extended to eligible children with disabilities aged below 12 in May 2014. The government plans to extend the scheme to green PLBS in phases from March 2015.

The Port

In 2014, Hong Kong handled a total of 22.2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units of containers (TEUs), and was the fourth busiest port in the world. Some 380,100 vessels arrived in and departed from Hong Kong during the year, carrying 298 million tonnes of cargo and about 29.3 million passengers. Most of these passengers commuted on a highly efficient fleet of high- speed ferries, including jetfoils and catamarans, to and from Macao and ports on the Mainland.

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 river-trade vessels from the Pearl River. A daily average of around 83 ocean-going vessels and 436 river-trade vessels arrive at the port; and many high-speed ferries and local vessels work in, or pass through, the harbour.

Port Administration

The Marine Department administers the port, with its principal task to ensure safety of navigation and efficiency of shipping activities in Hong Kong waters. This is achieved through comprehensive traffic management, harbour patrols, vessel traffic services, provision of mooring buoys and strict enforcement of rules and standards of the major international maritime conventions.

The department liaises closely with shipping and commercial organisations through a number of advisory and consultative committees. Through these channels, users and operators of port facilities can advise the government on port administration matters. The Port Operations Committee advises on all matters related to efficient operation of the port, the Pilotage Advisory Committee on pilotage services, and the Port Area Security Advisory Committee on port security. In addition, the Local Vessels Advisory Committee deals with matters related to local vessels, while the Shipping Consultative Committee advises on the operation of the Hong Kong Shipping Register (HKSR) and Hong Kong's participation in the International Maritime Organisation.

The department's website provides a wide range of information on the port and the HKSR, such as notices and details of the department's services and facilities. Special features include the

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