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Container handling facilities are a key part of the infrastructure in
the logistics sector, one of the four pillar industries of Hong Kong.
Matching the supply of port facilities with demand will ensure and facilitate
economic growth for the community. To meet the growing demand, Hong Kong
is completing the construction of a new container terminal, Container
Terminal 9 (CT9), on Tsing Yi Island opposite the eight terminals at Kwai
Chung. Covering an area of 68 hectares, the CT9 has six berths and the
first two came into operation in July and October. The whole terminal
is expected to be completed by the end of 2004. The CT9 will help maintain
Hong Kong's role as the premier port for southern China well into the
21st century.
Competition among the container terminals and among
alternative modes of container handling motivates the operators to heighten
efficiency and improve their quality of service. The continuing investment
in upgrading equipment and systems in the existing terminals at Kwai Chung
over the past few years has enabled the port to enhance its productivity.
The container port is vital, not only for Hong Kong,
but also for southern China — one of the fastest industrialising
areas in the world. Some 78 per cent of container traffic handled by Hong
Kong is related to southern China. The port of Hong Kong, therefore, is
likely to remain as the Asia-Pacific region's hub port.
To ensure that the port facilities in Hong Kong meet the demands and
there is timely provision of sufficient facilities to handle the port's
cargo growth following China's accession to the World Trade Organisation,
a 'Study on Hong Kong Port — Master Plan 2020' has commenced with
the objective of formulating a competitive strategy and master plan for
port development in the next 20 years and beyond. The study focuses on
strengthening the competitiveness of Hong Kong as a leading port in the
region, the role of port operation in the development of transportation
and logistics services in Hong Kong, and the preferred location of major
container port and related infrastructure. The study is scheduled for
completion in early 2004. |
