29 July 2004 (Thursday)

In response to a study report commissioned by the Better Hong Kong Foundation (BHKF) on trucking cost, a spokesman for the Economic Development and Labour Bureau said today (29 July) that the Government is determined to enhance the competitiveness of the Hong Kong Port (HKP). The BHKF's study confirms the Government's finding that road haulage cost is the principal competitive weakness of the HKP service offer, followed by terminal handling charges (THC). The Government has in fact been working on initiatives to address both issues.

On THC, the Government will continue to act as a facilitator in the dialogue between the shippers and the shipping lines to enhance the transparency of the charges.

On the various fees imposed on Hong Kong trucks, the Government is exploring the possibility of reducing them with the Mainland authorities. The Government also has an on-going dialogue with the Mainland authorities on the "4-up-4-down requirement" and the "1-truck-1-driver" rule, and will continue to explore the ways of relaxing these requirements.

The Government accords priority to improving the handling capacity of cross boundary facilities. Apart from maintaining the efficiency of customs clearance on both sides of the boundary, major infrastructure projects are underway to ease congestion at the control points. An additional bridge linking Lok Ma Chau and Huanggang is under construction. When completed at the end of 2004, it will segregate freight traffic from passenger traffic and double the handling capacity of the boundary bridge. The completion of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor (HK-SWC) in 2006 will provide a fourth road crossing between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. With an eventual capacity of more than 80,000 vehicle passages per day and the co-location of immigration and customs facilities, the HK-SWC is expected to make marked improvements to cross-boundary freight movement.

Regarding the recommendation of relaxing driving license requirements for container trucks, the Transport Department will review the present requirements.

The spokesman added that, "We will take into account the findings and recommendations of the BHKF study report and will continue to work with the industry to enhance the HKP's competitiveness."