25 February, 2003 (Tuesday)

Hong Kong has set a new world record in its container throughput in 2002 by handling 19 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), making it once again the world's busiest container port, the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, revealed this good news at the Terminal Operations Conference (TOC) 2003 Asia today (25 February).

"The 19 million TEU throughput represents a 6.6 per cent increase over 2001, and confirms Hong Kong's position as the world's busiest container port for nine of the past 10 years," Mr Ip said.

Mr Ip also told the conference delegates about the port development of Hong Kong in the year ahead.

"To ensure that port infrastructure in Hong Kong meet the long-term needs of the industry, the Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board has commissioned a study 'Hong Kong Port: Master Plan 2020' to formulate a competitive strategy and master plan for port development over the next two decades and beyond," he said.

Mr Ip also pointed out that Hong Kong would continue to work closely with its hinterland, the Pearl River Delta (PRD), to smooth the flow of people, goods, cargo and information in order to reinforce Hong Kong's status as the preferred international logistics hub in Asia.

"Hong Kong is facilitating a study by the Central Government's State Development and Planning Commission (SDPC) into the feasibility of a bridge linking Hong Kong to the western part of PRD. We have also jointly commissioned a study with the SDPC on how to boost cross-boundary logistics co-operation with the Mainland," Mr Ip said.

He noted that Hong Kong, as the world's top container port and a member of the international community, had played an active and responsible role in meeting various challenges to maintain the smooth flow of containers around the global supply chain and to enhance the security of global maritime trade, citing Hong Kong's action in response to the US's Container Security Initiatives (CSI).

The TOC 2003 Asia is organised by the Informa Group and supported by the Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board (PMB). The objective of the three-day conference is to bring senior port/shipping executives and leading industry analysts together to explore the emerging market trends, business development strategy as well as the best practice of port and maritime operations in the light of new market dynamics.

This is the second time for Hong Kong to host this world-class event for the port and maritime industry. The TOC 2001 Asia, also supported by the PMB, was held in Hong Kong successfully with an encouraging response from many overseas delegates and visitors.

The Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, today (February 25) delivers a keynote address at the opening of the Terminal Operations Conference 2003 Asia at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.