ENG-2020 — Page 262

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Transport

port formalities, including the submission and auto-approval of applications, self-printing of permits and certificates, payment via auto-pay and checking of application status.

Port Infrastructure, Facilities and Services

Marine civil works are essential to keep the port running smoothly. The Civil Engineering and Development Department carries out maintenance work on public landing facilities, ferry piers 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, 323 piers and landing facilities, 101 dolphin mooring structures, 110 beacons, 14,100 hectares of fairways and 3,590 hectares of anchorage areas.

The department also plans, designs and builds public marine facilities. In 2020, it commenced the construction works to reconstruct Pak Kok Pier on Lamma Island and the new public landing facility at Lei Yue Mun. Technical studies and detailed design 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 80 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 4,852m, 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 17m. 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 Marine Department operates two cross-boundary ferry terminals, namely the Hong Kong- Macau Ferry Terminal, operating round the clock, and the China Ferry Terminal, operating daily from 7am to midnight. The Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal operates daily from 7am to 10pm under a tenancy agreement between the government and the terminal operator. 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.

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