ENG-2015 — Page 267

13

Transport

Port Development

Planning and Development

The department provides professional advice on the planning of projects that affect port and marine traffic, and issues Marine Department Notices on details of marine works. Maritime and port statistics on vessel movements and container throughput are published periodically on its website.

Strategic Planning

Further to the completion of a 'Study on the Strategic Development Plan for Hong Kong Port 2030' in 2014, the government consulted the trade on 'Proposals for Enhancing the Use of Port Back-up Land in Kwai Tsing' in 2015. Taking into account stakeholders' views, the government is taking forward a series of enhancement measures to improve the port's operational efficiency.

Hong Kong Port Development Council

In Hong Kong, all container terminal facilities are financed, developed, owned and operated by the private sector. The government undertakes long-term strategic planning for port facilities and provides the necessary supporting infrastructure, such as roads and channels to the terminals.

The Hong Kong Port Development Council, chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Housing and comprising industry leaders and senior government officials, advises the government on port development strategies and facility planning to meet future demands. It also helps the government promote Hong Kong as a regional hub port and a leading world container port.

Maritime Industry

About 60 international shipping lines offer ocean liner services in Hong Kong, with about 340 sailings weekly connecting to around 470 destinations worldwide. In addition, more than 700 shipping-related companies operate in the territory, providing a great variety of quality maritime services, including ship agency, ship management, ship broking, maritime insurance, and legal and arbitration services. Hong Kong is also the leading international ship finance centre in Asia. Hong Kong's ship owners own or manage about 9 per cent of the world's merchant fleet in terms of deadweight tonnage.

Some of the world's largest and oldest shipping companies are based in Hong Kong, providing professional services to Hong Kong-registered ships and ships calling at Hong Kong. Other international maritime service providers have set up offices in Hong Kong, providing various supplies and support services including ship maintenance and repair, bunkering, ship replenishment, waste disposal, information technology and communication services, auditing and tax advisory, and training services.

Hong Kong is proactive in negotiating double taxation relief arrangements for shipping income with its trading partners. It has made such arrangements with 40 tax administrations.

219