ENG-2018 — Page 277

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Transport

and terminals, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, breakwaters and other public marine facilities, and regular maintenance dredging of the harbour, navigation channels and major river channels. It maintains 506 hectares of typhoon shelters, 5km of quays at public cargo working areas, 127km of seawalls and breakwaters, 318 piers and landing steps, 101 dolphin mooring structures, 109 beacons, 14,100 hectares of fairways and 3,590 hectares of anchorage areas.

The department also plans, designs and builds public marine facilities. Ongoing projects in 2018 included the planning and design of a new public landing facility at Lei Yue Mun and the reconstruction of Sharp Island Pier. Site investigation works and technical studies for pier improvement works at remote public piers in the New Territories and outlying islands were under way.

Container handling facilities are a key part of the logistics infrastructure. The nine container terminals at the Kwai Chung-Tsing Yi area, all privately run, handle about 79 per cent of Hong Kong's container throughput and have 24 berths with a total handling capacity of more than 20 million TEUs per year. In addition, the Marine Department manages six public cargo working areas with a total berth length of 4,852 metres, providing an alternative for operators handling cargo carried by barges and coasters.

The Kwai Tsing Container Basin and its approach channel have a navigation depth of 17 metres. This enables ultra-large container ships to use the port at all tides, strengthening Hong Kong's position as an Asia-Pacific regional port.

Cross-boundary Ferry Terminals

The department operates two cross-boundary ferry terminals. The Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, with 10 berths, operates round the clock. The China Ferry Terminal, with 12 berths, operates daily from 7am to midnight. The Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal, with three berths, operates daily from 7am to 10pm under a tenancy agreement between the terminal operator and the government. The department controls the use of these ferry terminals under the Shipping and Port Control (Ferry Terminals) Regulations.

Vessel Traffic Services

The department's Vessel Traffic Centre facilitates the traffic of visiting vessels to ensure their safety and expeditious movement.

Harbour Patrol and Local Control Station

The department's Harbour Patrol Section operates 29 patrol launches to enforce marine legislation, maintain safety of the port and shipping, and respond to marine emergencies. Its local traffic control station in Kwai Chung provides information and traffic management services to vessels in the vicinity of the Kwai Tsing container port area.

Pilotage

Pilotage is compulsory in Hong Kong waters for any vessel of 3,000 gross tonnage or above, oil tankers of 1,000 gross tonnage or above, and all gas carriers. The Director of Marine regulates and monitors pilotage services.

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