Hong Kong losing ground as major port
A raft of issues ranging from a lack of government support to a lack of facilities and new height restrictions in Kwai Chung are eroding Hong Kong's competitiveness as a top global port, a leading terminal executive said.
Alan Lee Yiu-kwong, head of the Hong Kong Container Terminal Operators Association, outlined seven factors that not only hindered development of the port but were responsible for Hong Kong losing ground to neighbouring Shenzhen, reported the South China Morning Post.
Hong Kong is likely be overtaken this year by Shenzhen as the world's third-busiest container port. Estimates indicate Hong Kong will handle 23.2 million TEUs compared with Shenzhen, which is set to handle 25 million TEUs.
"We are losing competitiveness because of the seven issues I mentioned," said Lee, who represents the five terminal operators at Kwai Chung port, including Hongkong International Terminals, DP World and Modern Terminals.
Explaining the problems, Lee said there was a shortage of back-up land and berths for barges, which caused congestion and disrupted port operations last year.
These shortages are exacerbated by new height restrictions in Kwai Chung that prevent terminal operators from developing the existing container yards, either by building over the yards or clearing the yards of containers to build new logistics facilities.
DATE:2012.11.30
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