Studies have found that container throughput in Hong Kong will continue to grow in the coming years, and it is necessary to enhance the capacity of existing container terminals and related infrastructures to cope with the growth.
The Study on the Strategic Development Plan for Hong Kong Port 2030 and the Preliminary Feasibility Study for Container Terminal 10 at Southwest Tsing Yi were released three days ago at a joint meeting of the Port Development Council and Maritime Industry Council.
The Hong Kong Port 2030 study forecasts that total container throughput would grow at an average annual rate of 1.5% up to 2030, and is estimated to reach 31.5 million 20-foot equivalent units.
The study proposes a series of enhancement measures including upgrading Stonecutters Island Public Cargo Working Area to a modern container handling facility for ocean-going or river trade vessels, to improve its efficiency.
It also proposes to enable the River Trade Terminal to become a terminal for both ocean-going and river trade vessels, and to make better use of land and other facilities around the terminals to accommodate future transhipment growth.
On the development of Container Terminal 10 at Southwest Tsing Yi, the study found that while it is technically feasible, the project is not financially or economically viable.
Industry representatives at the meeting generally agreed with the findings and proposals. They requested that the Government implement enhancement measures as soon as possible to provide more port backup land and berthing facilities to relieve congestion at the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals.
Secretary for Transport & Housing Prof Anthony Cheung said at the meeting that the Government would continue to work closely with the trade and follow up on the various enhancement measures for improving the port facilities.
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Press Release