The Hong Kong port's navigation safety and traffic efficiency will be further enhanced with the upgrading of the Marine Department's Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) System.

The new VTS system, at a project cost of $226 million, is expected to come into operation officially in February 2002.

The new system is designed with an open platform architecture and standard commercial-off-the-shelf equipment. It provides the latest VTS technology, including AIS, ECDIS, CCTV, new VHF-direction finders and modern communications system to improve navigation safety and operation efficiency.

It will be able to track 4,000 moving vessels and 1,000 stationary targets in real time and provide sufficient capability to meet Hong Kong's future vessel traffic.

The new system is installed in the Marine Department's Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) located in the Macau Ferry Terminal Outer Pier premises.

The "Hong Kong Maritime and Logistics Week" held between November 20-25 2001 received encouraging response from the public.

Organised      by      the       Hong
Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA), the event was aimed to increase the awareness of the local public, especially the youngsters and their parents, of the importance of shipping and logistics industries to Hong Kong's economy and the various career opportunities available in these two industries. It was supported and sponsored by the Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board and some 40 maritime and logistics-related organisations and associations.

The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, officiated at the exhibition at Pacific Place to mark the opening of the 6-day event by ringing a "horn" on a brass ship's telegraph to signify the "full speed ahead" message.

Over 250 school children visited the exhibition each day and many of them also visited the ship lying at the Tamar sea wall. Other activities included open days at maritime and logistics training establishments and a questionnaire competition. Pamphlets on the various areas of maritime and logistics industries were also distributed to the visitors to help them gain a better understanding of these industries.

The Chief Executive, Tung Chee Hwa, rang the "full speed ahead" sound of a ship's horn to mark the opening of the Hong Kong Maritime and Logistics Week.

The Director of HKSOA and the lead organiser of the event, Mr Authur Bowring, said "The week was an extremely successful first step in creating a better awareness of the maritime and logistics in Hong Kong."