The Government had formed an inter-departmental group to draw up contingency measures to ensure the smooth operation of the port of Hong Kong in view of the re-opening of the ports in the US West Coast.

The ports in the US West Coast were locked out for about 10 days at the end of September due to a labour dispute, resulting in the delay of ships returning to Hong Kong. During the lockout period, the Government, through the Economic Development and Labour Bureau (EDLB), kept in close touch with the industry to monitor the development and to assess the situation.

With the re-opening of the West Coast ports in the US after the 10-day shutdown, the Government promptly activated the inter-departmental group to make contingency plans to prepare for the resumption of shipping to these ports.  

Convened by the EDLB, the group comprised Security Bureau, Hong Kong Guangdong Cooperation Coordination Unit, Transport Department, Marine Department, Hong Kong Police Force, Customs and Excise Department and Lands Department.

The group also met with representative from shippers, shipping lines, container terminal operators and land transport industry to get first-hand information on the latest shipping schedule and cargo volume situation. The data collected had facilitated the Government to draw up timely contingency measures to ensure smooth traffic flow at the cross boundary control points and the vicinities of port facilities.

These contingency measures included the opening of additional lanes for customs clearance at Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Control Point from 10 pm in the night to 7am the next morning and speeding up   of   inspection   and  

customs clearance. The operational authorities of Hong Kong and Shenzhen also stepped up co-operation to handle any incidents that might arise.

Meanwhile, the first container vessel returning from the US West Coast arrived in Hong Kong on October 24 to resume its shipping services. With more ships coming back in the following weeks to clear the cargo backlog, the Government continued to monitor the situation closely to ensure the smooth flow of cargoes at the container terminals in Kwai Chung.

As the vessels had arrived at different periods of time in an orderly manner, there was no bunching of vessels at Kwai Chung and the operation of the container terminals had been normal. Goods awaiting empty boxes at depots in Kwai Chung were gradually cleared with the continued arrival of empty boxes brought back by the vessels.