By Cellist from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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I realy like the star ferry. It must be amazing to take a trip from Kowloon to Central

I realy like the star ferry. It must be amazing to take a trip from Kowloon to Central

It's more amazing if you take the upper deck. The lower deck is cheaper but it's not that thrilling. Besides the price for upper deck is very cheap.

There is a report that the Star Ferry will suffer a significant drop in passengers after the new terminal in Central opens and the Kowloon bus terminus removed.

There is a report that the Star Ferry will suffer a significant drop in passengers after the new terminal in Central opens and the Kowloon bus terminus removed.

Why is that?

Why is that?
A lot of people connect to buses from the Kowloon Star ferry terminal while the extra 200 m walk from the new Central terminal may be too far to entice passengers to continue using the service. It's all about convenience.

Ferry takes wrong turn onto rocks
13 May 2006
South China Morning Post

Maritime authorities are investigating how a ferry ran aground in a rocky bay on Lantau yesterday.

One elderly passenger suffered head injuries and a crew member fell ill when the New World First Ferry double-decker Xin Jie slammed onto the rocks at 1.20pm.

The ferry, carrying 81 passengers and five crew, left Central at 12.30pm for the one-hour journey to Mui Wo. But passengers said it suddenly made a sudden "big right turn" and ran into Man Kok Tsui, about 1km from its destination.

One passenger, identified only as Mr Hui, told Cable TV that he and several other passengers felt something was wrong after the sharp turn and entered the wheelhouse to investigate.

"We saw the captain. He looked shocked and did not seem to know what to do," Mr Hui said. "We were asked to return to our seats, and not long afterwards, there was a big impact."

The force of the crash threw several passengers to the deck and caused 78-year-old Tong Siu-ying to suffer head injuries.

She and co-captain Leung Ah-shing, 57, were treated at a clinic in Mui Wo and later discharged. It was not known what Mr Leung was treated for.

Islands district councillor Wong Fuk-kan, who rushed to the scene to help, said passengers said the captain told them the ferry had mechanical problems.

"Some passengers said the ferry made a sharp right turn and seemed to have problems slowing down. It ran into the rocks with a big crash," Mr Wong said.

The bow and the bottom section of the port side of the ship's hull were slightly damaged, according to the Marine Department.

A fleet of 11 launches from marine police, fire services and other marine divisions was sent to help transport the stranded passengers to Mui Wo.

It was the first accident involving a New World First Ferry vessel since the company took over the service in 2000. Company spokeswoman Josephine Lam said it was too early to discuss the cause of the accident, but the 20-year-old vessel passed a regular check last month and its annual inspection in February.

Ms Lam would not discuss the health condition of the captain or co-captain, saying only "they are very experienced".

Both were in the wheelhouse at the time of the accident, she said.

The ferry was towed to the Tsing Yi Shipyard during high tide at about 7.30pm. The department has ordered the ferry company to submit a report on the incident.

History of ferry accidents in Hong Kong's crowded harbour
13 May 2006
South China Morning Post

Spectacular ferry crashes have marred Hong Kong's crowded waterways since the boats first sailed in the early days of the colony.

The most recent was on October 2 last year, when nine passengers were slightly hurt when a catamaran from Zhongshan smashed into a pier.

While the city has thankfully been spared major disasters that have hit other parts of the globe, accidents have often been terrifying for passengers and crew.

A total of 106 people were injured in two separate crashes in Hong Kong waters within an hour on February 17 last year, as thick fog cut visibility to as little as 100 metres. In the worst accident, 104 people were injured, two seriously, when a mainland-bound high-speed catamaran and a cargo boat collided off Tsing Yi.

The collision of two Discovery Bay ferries on April 9, 2001 - again in heavy fog - sparked chaos on board when staff failed to give any announcements in English, despite at least half the passengers not being able to understand Cantonese.

In December 2000, helicopters and marine rescue boats were used to rescue more than 100 passengers after a fire aboard a Lamma-bound ferry.

In January of the same year a ferry slammed into a sea wall at Central pier, injuring 13.

And 27 were injured - three seriously - in April 1997 when mist and tide caused an accident which saw a catamaran hit a vehicle ferry near North Lantau Island.

A Discovery Bay ferry ran aground in March 1993 in heavy fog. The 123 passengers were unhurt when the vessel missed the pier.

Star Ferry plans shops and cafes to stay afloat
13 May 2006
South China Morning Post

The expanded Star Ferry pier scheduled to open in July will feature shops and restaurants to entice people to take the longer walk to its new location by the outlying islands ferry piers.

The old building beside the General Post Office will be torn down to make way for the Central reclamation.

The company is building a three-storey building at Pier No7, with the top floor featuring cafes, restaurants and shops for those merely wanting to enjoy the views of Victoria Harbour. An exhibition area will display historical photographs of the Star Ferry.

Managing director Frankie Yick Chi-ming said the move would cost the company 10 to 13 per cent of its patronage. "We are faced with great financial pressure," Mr Yick said.

"Hong Kong people are impatient. If they find that it is taking them more time to walk from the piers to the MTR or bus station, they will react quickly.

"It will not be enough for our piers to function as a transport depot only. We have to make the place interesting to both locals and tourists to generate extra income."

A further 20 per cent drop is also possible if a plan to move the Tsim Sha Tsui bus terminus away from the pier area goes ahead.

The company plans to upgrade the Tsim Sha Tsui piers to resemble a 1912 replica of its Central pier. Shopping and dining features will also be included in the plan. "We should see if there is a need to increase ferry fares one or two months after moving to the new piers in Central."

The service began in 1888 when Parsi businessman Dorabjee Nowrojee charged passengers to ride the boats he used to ferry his workers to and fro. He sold his four vessels, all bearing the name "Star", to the Hong Kong and Kowloon Wharf Godown Company in 1898.

漁船慢駛爭取生活津貼
12/06/2006

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【本報訊】漁民團體為喚起政府及社會對他們在休漁期生活問題的關注，約七十艘漁船昨日由筲箕灣避風塘出發，在維港海上慢駛遊行，要求政府在六至八月的休漁期期間提供每月七至八千元的生活津貼、彈性處理休漁復業貸款及為漁民提供燃油補貼。部分漁民在出發前更跳海抗議，希望社會關注他們的苦況。

漁民代表指出，執行了七年的休漁期，令漁民在這段期間均是手停口停，停航兩個月間更需支付維修保養費用。四十五歲的冼先生，需供養三名子女及年老父母，他表示，休漁期間政府沒有提供津貼，但他學歷有限難找兼職，惟有「食老本」度日，子女也要趁放假找兼職幫補家計。

盼每月獲津貼七至八千元
香港機動漁船船東協進會首席顧問張錦義指出，綜援不能令大部分漁民受惠，去年的六百宗申請只有二百宗獲批准，故反對政府將休漁期援助放入綜援類別。他建議休漁期間，政府每月向每艘漁船發放七至八千元的生活津貼，並將休漁復業貸款上限增至二十萬元。張錦義指出，燃油費佔捕魚業成本的八成半，但近兩年油價不斷上升，漁民又不能像其他行業般加票價和燃油附加費收回成本，故生存空間愈來愈窄。他建議政府參考歐美的農產品補貼及廣東省的漁民燃油補貼，不要後知後覺待捕魚業萎縮、大批漁民失業才制訂補貼制度。

漁農自然護理署回應表示，二○○四及○五年已分別向漁民提供二千六百萬及四千三百萬元的休漁期貸款。署方已收到船東協進會的來信，並已就有關建議向魚類統營處顧問委員會提議將貸款增加至十五萬元。http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/img/endmarker.gif

FEATURE-HK's Star Ferry surrenders to urbanisation
By Susan Fenton

HONG KONG, July 13 (Reuters) - The fabled green and white Star ferry service is one of few relics from Hong Kong's past to have survived the territory's modernisation.

But soon, the ferries will leave their downtown terminal and move to new premises on Hong Kong island, making way for land reclamation and construction of a road bypass.

Swish new terminals on either side of Victoria Harbour with shopping and dining facilities will make the ferries a bigger tourist attraction, says the government.

Residents are, however, up in arms and say the main ferry service between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon on the mainland will no longer be a convenient form of public transport.

"I won't take the ferry any more, it'll be too far. I'll have to take the MTR (underground railway) and that takes a lot longer," said Leo Lam, an accountant who now takes the nine-minute journey daily to work in Kowloon.

The ferries, established by a prominent Parsee businessman in the 1880s, rate as one of the territory's biggest tourist attractions, offering visitors the best view of one of the world's most spectacular harbours.

But locals make up 70 percent of the 75,000 people who travel each day on the ferries, last year voted the city's most reliable form of public transport.

At rush hour, office workers stream off the boats, elbowing past leisurely tourists, on their way to work in the Central business district on Hong Kong Island.

Once the terminal moves 300 metres away however they face a 15-minute walk to work or connecting transport -- a move that the Star Ferry Company estimates will cut passenger numbers by 13 percent.

On the Kowloon side, the government plans to relocate a bus terminus away from the ferry terminal and build landscaped gardens. That may attract more tourists but would cut passenger numbers by another 20 percent or so, according to Star Ferry Co.

"On the Hong Kong side we'd like to stay where we are, the new terminal is out of the Central business district," said Frankie Yick, managing director of the Star Ferry Company. "Hong Kong people are always in a rush, they want to get to places quickly."

TURBULENT HISTORY

Land reclamation has seen Victoria Harbour shrink in recent years and many people say it is spoiling the city's natural beauty and ruining its biggest natural asset, the harbour itself. They lament the ferries' departure from their downtown location as the end of an era.

"It's a dilemma for Hong Kong," said Edwin Chu, an investment consultant, who also plans to switch to alternative transport when the ferry moves. "We'll miss the ferry but we also need to ease traffic congestion in Central."

Established by businessman Dorabjee Nowrojee to transport his workers, the ferry service has weathered Hong Kong's often turbulent history, including a general strike in the British colony in 1925 when only the Royal Navy kept the ferries running.

When Japan invaded the colony in 1941, locals crammed on to the ferries amid shelling in the harbour to try to escape. The service was suspended for 44 months during the occupation.

Today, at HK$1.70 (22 U.S. cents) a ride on the lower deck, the cross-harbour trip is a rare bargain in one of the world's most expensive cities -- partly because attempts to raise fares are routinely met with protests.

During widespread social unrest in the territory in 1966, a plan to raise the fare by 5 cents sparked four days of riots.

The ferry terminal on Hong Kong Island, once a waterfront landmark, is now dwarfed by skyscrapers and looks run down. Some ferries are 50 years old but that has not dimmed their appeal.

One Dutchman was so impressed by a ride on one that he opened a Star Ferry cafe in Amsterdam last year modelled on a replica green and white ferry.

As tourism has become an increasingly important contributor to the local economy, accounting for 6-8 percent of gross domestic product, the government is keen to build the ferries up as a tourist attraction.

The new terminals will house replicas of the clock towers at the existing terminals as well as floors of shopping and dining facilities, with a rooftop beer garden on the Kowloon side and a Star Ferry exhibition on the island side.

Revenue from those facilities will help subsidise the ferries. But Yick said fares might have to rise if passenger numbers drop too much.

One thing that won't change are the ferries themselves.

"No one would want that," said Yick. "They are an icon." (US$=HK$7.8)

新天星碼頭復古
30/08/2006
太陽報

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【本報訊】近一個世紀前的天星碼頭舊貌，再次在維港展現！中環新天星碼頭七及八號碼頭的興建工程經已竣工，政府將於未來數天內將新碼頭交予天星小輪公司進行為期兩個月的內部裝修，碼頭將於十一月正式啟用。新天星碼頭的外貌採用了一九一二年時期的碼頭及鐘樓設計，盡顯維多利亞式建築的懷舊感覺，至於內部裝潢則以不遮擋維港的無敵海景為大前提，實行將新天星碼頭打造成集消閒及旅遊元素於一身的新地標。

玻璃間隔營造通透感
即將於十一月啟用的新天星碼頭共設有七號及八號兩個停泊碼頭，航班分別前往尖沙咀、尖東和紅磡，兩個碼頭之間以大樓連接，大樓最頂層是天星小輪公司重新購置的一組電子操作的銅製吊鐘，以取代舊碼頭的鐘樓。至於天星碼頭的外觀設計，就採用了一九一二年時的維多利亞式建築及鐘樓設計、屋頂斜尖及綠白相襯的外牆顏色。

土木工程拓展署高級工程師鄧錦輝表示，新天星碼頭的地面將不設商舖，盡量保持開揚的環境，騰空地方作為市民及遊客休憩之用。所有商舖將會設於新碼頭連接大樓的一樓，該層採用開放式的設計，商舖間隔以玻璃為主，以營造出通透的效果，讓市民無時無刻都能觀賞到海景。

而二樓公眾觀景台的天花則採用具有吸熱效能的玻璃，利用天然日光作照明，在兩個觀景台上亦將分別設有餐廳及小型咖啡室，八號碼頭地面層更設有酒樓。

Architects hit out at Central pier design
Edwardian-style design lacks essence and spirit of the original and 'looks like a set from a film studio', critics say
30 August 2006
South China Morning Post

Architects and conservationists yesterday took aim at government plans for the new Star Ferry pier in Central, attacking the mock Edwardian design for looking like "a set from a film studio" and likening it to dressing up a modern person in historical costume.

At the request of the Star Ferry Company, the complex has been built to mimic the existing Edwardian design but with a 21st-century interior.

The three-storey complex has two piers connected by a clock tower with a new electronic clock that chimes every 15 minutes.

The building, which will replace the existing pier, has a harbour view stretching from the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai to West Kowloon.

Civil Engineering and Development Department senior engineer Tang Kam-fai said the new building was rich in history and culture, environmentally friendly and offers the public an unobstructed harbour view.

But Vincent Ng Wing-shun, vice-president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, said the new complex was like "a modern person putting on historic clothes".

"I'm not going to say it is ugly but it looks like a set in a film studio. It is impossible to rebuild a historic building. The new complex has the appearance of the old Star Ferry pier but it doesn't have the essence and the spirit.

"To make it work, it needs the right materials, craftsmanship, details and proportions. It requires very detailed architectural records of the old building. Mimicking by just referring to old pictures is not going to work. "

Mr Ng said he was sad to see the old pier being demolished.

"Conservation is about preserving an old building, not about rebuilding an old building," director of the University of Hong Kong's architectural conservation programme Lee Ho-yin, said.

"If we're building a new structure, it should be in the form of contemporary architecture because architecture is a reflection of a society's taste, culture and technology," Dr Lee said.

"Fifty or 100 years down the road, a new building will become an old building and those in the future will have a glimpse of our culture and society by seeing the building. I wonder what people will get by seeing the new Star Ferry building 50 years later."

Lynne DiStefano, former director of the HKU's conservation programme, said the Edwardian period referred to a cluster of styles that reached maturity during the reign of Edward VII (1902-1910).

"It was an important period for English architecture because the architects tried to find a national style, a form that was uniquely English. The preferred material was stone because it was solid, long-lasting and immovable.

"The Legco building is a superb example of the Edwardian style. It is elegant and sophisticated," she said.

Passengers will board ferries to Tsim Sha Tsui, Hunghom and Tsim Sha Tsui East on the ground and first floors of the new complex. The building will also house shops, a restaurant, a café and two bars. Glass walls will ensure customers have a harbour view.

After the ferry moves to the new complex at the end of this year, the existing pier will be demolished to make way for a road and shopping complex. The Star Ferry Company declined to comment yesterday.

A proud tradition of service since 1888
11 September 2006
South China Morning Post

The Star Ferry was launched in 1888 when Dorabjee Nowrojee started a daily steam boat ferry - the Morning Star - from Pedder's wharf, in Pedder Street, Central, and Tsim Sha Tsui.

Nowrojee, a Parsee, operated under the name of the Kowloon Ferry Company. The ferries carried Hong Kong and Kowloon Wharf Godown Company employees across the harbour free of charge.

In return Kowloon Wharf provided the wharf and all its maintenance. The arrangement established the domination of the Star ferries over the waters between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui.

Star Ferry has gone through all the ups and downs of Hong Kong. Some brought benefits, others hit the company badly.

It benefited from the leasing of the New Territories from the Qing dynasty to Britain in 1898, which marked the rapid development of Kowloon.

The Japanese invasion in 1941 heralded the longest halting of ferry services. Despite intensive bombing the company ran the ferries until December 12 of that year to evacuate refugees, troops and key personnel from the Kowloon peninsula.

On the night of December 18, Japanese forces landed on Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong surrendered on Christmas Day.

The service was suspended for 44 months. C.M. Manners, who headed the company, died in Stanley camp in November 1944.

In 1966, the ferry company triggered an historic event when it applied for a fare increase from 10 HK cents to 15 HK cents. The unpopular move drew protests from the Urban Council, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and the Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council.

On April 5, 27-year-old So Sau-chung staged a hunger strike at the pier in Central. He was arrested, triggering mass protests and, eventually, riots. About 430 people were detained.

"Upturned vehicles, some burnt out, were scattered about like discarded tin cans. Gutted storefronts were open to the streets. Local residents stood shocked and dazed," Star Ferry - the Story of a Hong Kong Icon records.

Struggles between the police and rioters were repeated in the evening. Eventually Star Ferry promised the fare rise would apply only to the first-class section. Children under 16 and students up to 25 were exempt.

Relocated Star Ferry 'will be left with just heritage role'
Commuters will desert service after move to distant pier, says academic
11 September 2006
South China Morning Post

The Star Ferry is likely to lose its role as a form of public transport and become a tourist attraction like the Peak Tram after its pier moves, an academic says.

Hung Wing-tat, associate professor of civil and structural engineering at Polytechnic University, said moving the Central pier to near the outlying islands piers would discourage use of the ferry to cross the harbour.

"The current pier in Central is convenient. It is connected to taxis, buses and minibuses, and close to major offices towers, such as Jardine House and the Prince's Building," Professor Hung said.

"It has a big catchment area. The new pier is far away for both pedestrians and vehicles. It is not particularly close to IFC. Moving to a new pier will hit the ferry badly."

He said the ferry was still attractive to low-income people as it was the cheapest way to cross the harbour and its present convenient location helped it meet fierce competition, particularly from the MTR Corp. It would lose that edge with the move.

Professor Hung cited a Transport Department study in 2002 that said the average person did not want to walk for more than seven minutes to catch public transport. The government has estimated it will take 10 minutes to reach the new pier.

The ferry service, which has been operating since 1888, faces serious challenges, including the move to the new pier, forced by the Central reclamation, and the looming removal of bus stops and a taxi stand from its Tsim Sha Tsui pier.

But Professor Hung said the Star Ferry would take on a role similar to that of the Peak Tram.

"It has heritage value. No one wants to see a bus, but everyone wants to see and experience a ferry ride across Victoria Harbour," he said.

"Whether it will follow in the footstep of London's Routemaster depends on the determination of the ferry's management."

The Routemaster - a double-decker bus with the entrance at the back - was officially withdrawn from service last December. Two heritage routes between tourists spots in London have kept the buses in action.

Star Ferry managing director Frankie Yick Chi-ming agreed it was inevitable that the Star Ferry's role would change.

"Before the Cross-Harbour Tunnel was completed in 1972 and the MTR offered cross-harbour services in 1985, the ferry was the only important transport to take people across the harbour," he said. "Now people have many choices. Ferries need a pier but we can't build piers everywhere; it is our restriction."

He said the company planned to add new elements to the pier in an effort to draw people who were not catching a ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui.

"I have been thinking how to change the ferry's role," Mr Yick said. "With more space at the new pier, we will provide more activities. Hopefully there will be monthly and weekly activities to attract visitors.

"Level three will be a public viewing deck; visitors will be able to enjoy panoramic sea views there. We are thinking about offering space to artists, tertiary institutes and non-profit organisations to be their exhibition and performance venue."

Meanwhile, the Transport Department said it had not decided when to move the Tsim Sha Tsui bus terminus away from the ferry pier or details of bus services from the new terminus to the pier.

The plan is to move the bus terminus to near Wing On Plaza in Tsim Sha Tsui East, while the taxi stand will move to Canton Road. The parking bays for tour coaches and shuttle buses will be moved to an area outside the Cultural Centre.

Source : http://www.pbase.com/hltam/starferry

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Make the sea a safer place to play
22 September 2006
South China Morning Post

Hong Kong takes pride in being a coastal city, but tragedies involving boats hitting swimmers and divers are raising serious safety concerns. At least two people have lost their lives already this year pursuing what should be harmless pastimes.

The way in which marine traffic is regulated and policed has failed to evolve with the growing popularity of leisure sailing and water sports. The matter must now be tackled urgently to prevent further loss of life.

Gone are the days when Hong Kong was primarily a fishing port and boating was an expensive pastime for the rich and the privileged. On weekends and public holidays, it is now common to see large numbers of pleasure craft off popular beaches and bays. While some just drop anchor to allow their users to swim in the vicinity, others make dangerous manoeuvres at high speeds to give skiers, wake-boarders and banana-boat riders the thrills they seek. That creates an environment in which fatal accidents are likely to happen.

Action to enhance safety in the water must begin with ensuring boats are captained by competent and responsible sailors. Whatever its rationale, the current licensing regime for boating masters is simply too lax, as it does not even require candidates to pass a practical test. That must change so potential captains are required to pass tests in both the theory and practice of sailing. The rule that a licensed sailor needs only be on the boat, but not necessarily steering it, might also need to be reconsidered - especially for speedboats, which run at high speeds and are responsible for most accidents.

Tightening the licensing regime is one thing, ensuring captains follow the rules is another. There has to be more active management of marine traffic to protect swimmers and divers from passing boats. Consideration should also be given to introducing more speed-restricted zones. Enforcement against errant captains, including prosecution, must be stepped up to compel them to take safety seriously.

Trying to prosecute captains for speeding is not easy, as it is difficult to ascertain how fast a boat is moving. The hand-held laser guns used by marine police are practically useless, as their accuracy may come under challenge if they are not operated from stationary vantage points. With technological advances, however, it should not be too difficult to better enforce the rules, if the political will is there.

With rising affluence, boating and marine leisure activities will grow. If existing trends continue, patrolling popular marine pleasure spots may mean a heavier workload for the marine police. A more efficient and cost-effective alternative may be to set up an auxiliary coastguard service to take up that role during holiday periods. Public education will also need to be enhanced to remind people of the need to watch out for traffic at sea.

Panel votes to save Star Ferry tower
Leslie Kwoh
21 September 2006
Hong Kong Standard

A nonbinding motion urging the government to retain the 49-year-old Star Ferry clock tower passed unanimously Wednesday in the Legislative Council's planning, land and works panel.

Drawn up by Civic Party lawmaker Alan Leong Kah-kit and independent Kwok Ka-ki, the motion asked the government to reverse its decision on the tower, which is scheduled for demolition early next year after the opening of the replacement Star Ferry terminal.

Officials have argued the tower must be demolished in order to make way for a proposed trunk road.

The motion was passed by all four legislators present during the vote, including Leong, Kwok, independent Albert Chan Wai-yip and the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong's Choy So-yuk. The other 13 panel members were either absent from the meeting, or left before the vote was taken.

``This sends out a clear message to the government, but whether it will listen or not, I don't know,'' Kwok said. ``No matter how good an issue might be for the community or the environment, the government has a history of refusing to listen.''

Choy also said she was ``not optimistic'' the government would abide by the motion, but urged officials to consider postponing the date of demolition.

``All we're asking is that we sit down and discuss alternative ways.We believe minimum changes can be made to the current plans to preserve the tower,'' she said.

According to the layout of the area, the site around the tower will have 11 hectares of open space.

Kwok and Choy also said they approached Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and planning chief Michael Suen Ming-yeung earlier in the day during a luncheon for legislators, but received disappointing responses.

Kwok said Tsang questioned the historical significance of the tower, while Choy said Suen treated her plea for preservation ``like a joke.''

At the panel meeting, Deputy Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands Robin Ip Man-fai reiterated the need for new roads to reduce traffic congestion. He also defended the government's decision to demolish the clock tower and terminal, saying the structure's historical significance was not recognized by the Antiquities Advisory Board.

Star Ferry may have to raise fares after move
Company anticipates drop in passengers as a result of 10-minute walk to new pier
27 October 2006
South China Morning Post

The Star Ferry could make a decision before the end of the year on whether it needs to raise its fares to compensate for revenue losses as a result of the shift to its new pier in Central next month.

Managing director Frankie Yick Chi-ming said a month would be long enough to assess the impact of the move.

Mr Yick was speaking hours before the Transport Department officially announced that the ferry service would move to its new Edwardian-style pier on November 12.

The company has estimated it will lose as much as 13 per cent of its passengers because of the 10-minute walk from the present pier to the new one.

The Star Ferry's Central to Tsim Sha Tsui service has a daily passenger flow of 53,000 people.

Transport officials said it was too early to say whether the Star Ferry would suffer, but the MTR and buses had the capacity to carry ferry passengers to cross the harbour without making public transport more crowded.

"With new facilities and barrier-free access for the disabled, passengers will be better served in the new pier," said Carol Cheung Lin-yung, the department's chief transport officer.

The Star Ferry will organise a charity farewell ride on November 11 with four ferries taking 1,800 people to Tsim Sha Tsui as the clock strikes midnight.

Tickets, to be sold at the Tsim Sha Tsui pier from 11.30am on Saturday, will cost HK$88. The proceeds will be donated to the Community Chest and other organisations.

Those who want to pay the regular HK$2.20 or HK$1.70 fare can try to catch a ferry leaving for Tsim Sha Tsui at 11.30pm.

The first ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui from the new pier will leave at 6.30am the next day.

But the public will have to wait until early January before the viewing deck, cafe and restaurants at the new pier are ready to use.

"The government wants us to move as soon as possible as it needs to secure the [present site] for reclamation," Mr Yick said.

After the move, the trip between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui will be 300 metres shorter, but Star Ferry general manager Johnny Leung Tak-hing said the journey time would be the same because strong currents at the new pier meant berthing would take longer.

Repeated reclamation in Central is forcing the Star Ferry to move for the fourth time.

Three bus routes - 15, 15C and 629 - will stop outside the new pier to take passengers to Admiralty, Wan Chai, The Peak, the Peak Tram station and Ocean Park.

But passengers wanting to travel to Kotewall Road, MacDonnell Road, Lower Baguio Bay, Bowen Road, Pok Fu Lam Garden and Stanley will have to go back to the old pier at Edinburgh Place.

Buses 13 and 260 as well as minibuses 1A, 8, 9 and 22 will continue to use the existing stops at Edinburgh Place.

Source : http://www.pbase.com/klyim/nao_victoria

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By 浚-118P from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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Source : http://www.pbase.com/bono

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Hundreds seek a sentimental ride on last Star Ferry from Central pier
29 October 2006
South China Morning Post

Hundreds queued yesterday to buy tickets for the last Star Ferry services from Central pier.

Tickets, priced at HK$88, went on sale at 11.30am at the Star Ferry pier in Tsim Sha Tsui, with the proceeds destined for charities.

Early birds began queuing before 7am. An elderly woman named Mrs Cheung, who was the first in the queue, arrived at 5am.

By 10am, the queue had nearly reached the Cultural Centre, so Star Ferry staff decided to move the queue to a vacant pier. They began selling tickets 30 minutes early.

Each person was allowed to buy up to five tickets. The Star Ferry company had 1,800 tickets for sale yesterday. The last rides will take place on November 11, with four ferries taking passengers from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui as the clock strikes midnight. Ticket proceeds will be donated to the Community Chest and other charities.

People who bought tickets said they wanted to reminisce about the many memories they had of the old pier.

Fifty-year-old retiree Mrs Cheung tried hard to hold back her tears as she recalled the many romantic trips she took with her late husband.

"It was around 1970. We took boat trips together often. It was very romantic and the fare was cheap. I think it was only about 20 cents," said Mrs Cheung, who bought five tickets. "But my husband has passed away. This pier reminds me of him."

"I was on the lower deck and I saw a woman jumping off the boat trying to kill herself. I was only eight. That memory still haunts me," said Ms Hung.

Ms Chan, who bought one ticket for herself, said the demolition of the old pier was like a mother leaving her son. The 70-year-old has been living in Hong Kong since she was 13.

There were also many young people queuing. Form One students Li Ka-ho and Lee Kwun-sing bought three tickets and said they felt sad the old pier was to be pulled down. They said the government had left young people nothing of the old Hong Kong that they would have loved to learn about. "Old architecture should be kept so that we can learn about what Hong Kong was like and how it has evolved," said Ka-ho, 13.

Hong Kong On the Move Performance Art Project members performed at the Central pier to protest against the demolition.

The pier, built in 1957, will close on November 12 in preparation for its demolition to make way for a four-lane Central-Admiralty road link.

By 2A_DL13 from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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The man who fought a 5 cent fare increase and sparked riots in his defence
6 November 2006
South China Morning Post

So Sau-chung has an indelible place in the history of Central's Star Ferry pier and regrets its impending demolition - but has no intention of paying it a farewell visit.

Mr So, when he was a 25-year-old translator, staged a hunger strike on April 4, 1966, outside the Star Ferry concourse in protest at a ferry fare increase of 5 cents.

The service was then a vital link between Hong Kong and Tsim Sha Tsui. The unpopular decision drew protests from the Urban Council, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and the Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council.

Mr So was a pioneer of social protests in Hong Kong, where demonstrations rarely happened before early 1970s.

His actions drew sympathy from some members of the public and 11 young people joined the hunger strike.

Riots broke out after Mr So was arrested on April 5 for the protest. About 430 people were detained and Mr So was charged with causing "obstruction and disturbance". But the protest was effective because the Star Ferry later limited the fare rise to the first-class section and exempted children under 16 and students. Now a Buddhist monk, Mr So said the pier was doomed in the face of economic and urban development.

"Some of my friends have suggested erecting a plaque at the new ferry pier to tell the public about the hunger strike and the riots. But I think it's very unlikely the government and the ferry company would accept the proposal."

Mr So, now 65, said his protest had been inspired by the non-violent activism of Mahatma Gandhi in India.

"I am adamant my actions have emboldened many Hong Kong people to express their views publicly. Now the people's awareness of their rights is much higher than the 1960s."

The Star Ferry pier and nearby Queen's Pier will stop operations on Saturday and service will move to new piers at the eastern edge of the outlying island ferry piers.

An organisation devoted to sustainable development, See Network, will organise a vigil on Saturday evening at Edinburgh Place. Patsy Cheung Man-wah of the organisation said: "It is possible to preserve the pier as long as we keep campaigning."

Laser scanning helps preserve detailed features of the Star Ferry pier
Friday, November 24, 2006
Government Press Release

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Detailed features of the old Star Ferry pier and the clock tower have already been recorded and stored as 3D images through an advanced laser scanning technology. The data and images collected enable the Government to consider how to incorporate some special features of these buildings in the design of the new Central harbourfront.

In addition to the digital method, relevant government department is taking photographic record for the pier which had served Hong Kong for decades.

Civil Engineering & Development Department's Chief Land Surveyor Dominic Siu said the department had used laser scanning to digitalise all detailed information before the demolition of the Star Ferry pier and the clock tower so as to help preserve people's 'collective memory'.

He said laser scanning can acquire huge amount of 3D points, or 'point clouds', in very short time.

"Through the 'point clouds', the scanning system can also measure distances and directions, and produce structural and cross-sectional plans, 3D models and computer flythrough animation, which can unfold concerned buildings from all perspectives.

"With a record of more than 150 million of measured points, details, features and even settings of the pier and the clock tower have been precisely stored in a digital way.

"Different substances have different degree of reflection intensity. Laser scanning can isolate colours, texture and co-ordinates of buildings. Such data can be saved in an electronic format which enable the Government to consider how to incorporate some special features of the clock tower and the pier in the design of the new Central harbourfront."

Mr Siu said the laser scanner worth about 2 million and was purchased by the Civil Engineering and Development Department in 2003. "It is primarily intended for use in landslip forensic investigation when the department bought it three years ago," he added.

As an added value, the scanner is also used for recording information of monumental buildings or objects to assist historical researches and study of the buildings, Mr Siu said.

Apart from the old Star Ferry pier, projects completed the 3D recordings included Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb, Tai Fu Tai Mansion at San Tin and the Fire Fighting Boat "Alexander Grantham".

By 2700 from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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By GUIA from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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By a396 from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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LCQ16: Ferry services at Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Government Press Release

Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (December 20) :

Question:

Since the commissioning of the cross-boundary Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal (TMFT) early last month, the ferry services to and from Macau have not been launched as planned, and only four ferry trips are provided each day to and from Zhuhai's Jiuzhou Port. Many commercial tenants in the vicinity of the TMFT have complained that, while the pedestrian flow in the area has not greatly increased following the commissioning of the TMFT, the landlords have substantially increased the rents of their shops on grounds that TMFT has been commissioned with the ferry services in operation, making it difficult for them to operate. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the reasons why the ferry services between Tuen Mun and Macau have not yet been launched, and when the Government expects such services to be launched;

(b) whether it has measures to assist the operator of the TMFT in launching the ferry services to and from Macau as early as possible; if so, of the details of such measures; if not, the reasons for that; and

(c) whether it has measures to alleviate the hardship faced by the commercial tenants concerned; if so, of the details of such measures; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

The Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal is a commercial investment in which the investor rents the terminal to operate cross-boundary ferry services. As the existing two cross-boundary ferry terminals have spare capacity to handle passenger demand for cross-boundary ferry services, we consider that it is not an essential infrastructure project. According to the tenancy agreement between the Government and the tenant (Hong Kong North West Express Limited), the tenant may operate cross-boundary ferry services between Hong Kong and Macau or the Mainland. The terminal was commissioned on November 3, 2006. As the tenant has yet to secure the permission of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region to operate ferry services to Macau, it is only able to provide ferry services between Tuen Mun and Zhuhai (Jiuzhou Port) at the moment.

The Government has all along been facilitating the work of the tenant to enable the early commissioning of the terminal. However, as with other cross-boundary ferry service operators, the tenant has to secure the permission of the relevant authorities of the destination ports on its own to operate ferry services. Given that the project is a commercial investment, it would not be appropriate for the Government to participate in any matters for which the operator is responsible. The tenant has also indicated that it is making its best endeavour to operate the Tuen Mun - Macau route.

We consider that the Government should not interfere with the tenancy matters of the shops near the terminal, as these are commercial arrangements between the tenant and the landlord.

By HY4099 from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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Star Ferry, 17 Nov 2003.
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Star Ferry terminal, 21 Nov 2003.
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By HY4099 from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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:D

I love the ferries in Hong Kong the ones that glide over the water

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AUSTAL WINS $36M CONTRACT FOR SUPPLY OF TWO FERRIES TO NEW WORLD FERRY SERVICES
19 February 2007
Australian Company News Bites
SOURCED FROM INFORMATION LODGED WITH THE AUSTRALIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

Austal Ltd says it has secured an unconditional contract for the supply of two ferries to New World First Ferry Services Ltd worth $36 million with delivery in the second half of 2008.

The Hong Kong operated ordered two 47.5 metre high speed aluminium passenger ferries that will operate on the Hong Kong to Macau route.

There has been a previous delivery of five similar fast ferries to New World First Ferry Services.

Austal says this contract is not related to the recently announced order for multiple high speed passenger ferries.

I love the ferries in Hong Kong the ones that glide over the water

btw, they're called hydrofoils

By wilsonho1241 from a HK transport forum :

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Government to reduce cross-boundary ferry owners' passenger embarkation fee
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Government Press Release

The Government proposes to reduce the passenger embarkation fee in respect of cross-boundary ferry terminals from $15 to $11 per passenger, after a review which reveals that there is room for a 27% reduction in the fee level. It will lead to a reduction of about $48 million in Government revenue per annum.

"The proposed reduction of the passenger embarkation fee, which is imposed on cross-boundary ferry owners in respect of each passenger embarking on the ferry vessel at a cross-boundary ferry terminal, will reduce the operating costs of ferry operators and provide room for them to reduce the ferry fares. All the cross-boundary ferry operators have also undertaken to reduce their ferry fares to reflect the $4 fee reduction in full," a Government spokesman said today (July 5).

The passenger embarkation fee is prescribed under the Shipping and Port Control (Ferry Terminals) Regulations (Cap. 313H) and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Fees) Regulation (Cap. 548J). Revision of the fee requires legislative amendments.

The Shipping and Port Control (Ferry Terminals) (Amendment: Fee Reduction) Regulation 2007 and Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Fees) (Amendment: Fee Reduction) Regulation 2007 will be published in the Gazette tomorrow (July 6) and tabled at the Legislative Council next Wednesday (July 11). The fee reduction is scheduled for implementation on November 19.

"We regularly review the level of the passenger embarkation fee, having regard to the cost-recovery principle and other relevant factors such as the likely impact on inflation, public acceptance and affordability," the spokesman said.

Star Ferry seeks fare rise for services to Hung Hom
20 July 2007
South China Morning Post

Star Ferry has proposed raising fares by 22 per cent on two of its popular routes - between Hung Hom and Central, and Hung Hom and Wan Chai.

The adult fare, if approved by transport officials, would rise to HK$6.50 from HK$5.30, while that for children aged between three and 12 would jump to HK$3.30 from HK$2.70. Bicycles would incur a charge of HK$13, up from HK$10.60.

In a brief prepared for the Legislative Council's transport panel by the Transport and Housing Bureau, the ferry company said the increases were necessary to keep the services financially viable.

The company described the two routes' current situation as "financially unsatisfactory".

Meanwhile, the paper also warned that Lantau South residents were likely to face longer ferry trips and waiting times when the licence to serve Peng Chau and Mui Wo goes up for tender in April next year.

The government has proposed merging the loss-making routes between Central and Peng Chau, and Central and Mui Wo to attract more bidders when the services' franchise expires on March 31 next year.

The proposal would see ferries from Central stop at Peng Chau before going to Mui Wo, thereby increasing the travel time between Central and Mui Wo by 15 minutes. But the two routes would still run separately between 7am and 9am.

The frequency of trips after 9am would be reduced from every 40 minutes to every hour, a move expected to cut at least 10 trips a day.

Also expiring at the same time are franchises for services between Central and Cheung Chau, and Central and Lamma. The current services between Central and Cheung Chau, and Central and Sok Kwu Wan will be maintained, but the frequency of ferries between Central and Yung Shue Wan will be cut from every 45 minutes to every hour.

Island District councillor Wong Fuk-kan said the arrangement amounted to an indirect fare rise for Mui Wo residents.

"If we pay just as much, and our journey time is increased from about 30 minutes to 45 minutes, doesn't that mean we pay 50 per cent more?"

How far should city go to make ferries green?
28 July 2007
South China Morning Post

The 21st century has turned out to be anything but plain sailing for the Star ferries. First the historic icons were moved to a new pier farther away from its catchment area for passengers in Central. Then the demolition of the old pier to make way for reclamation development sparked an outcry about destruction of heritage and collective memory. Now its trusty but environmentally incorrect old engines have been found unable to adapt well to "green" fuel.

That raises questions about what is to be done, which could start another argument. After 45 years, should the ferries be replaced, and would 21st century boats at a 21st century pier really be the same? Would it be practicable to fit such old vessels with environmentally friendly engines, or to fit equipment to clean the emissions? Who should pay? To complicate matters, the current operator's right to run a financially problematic service expires next year.

Irony is to be found in the new dilemma, so soon after the Queen's Pier controversy. Plenty of environmentally conscious people are to be found among the mainly young crowd that turned out to protest against the removal of the pier. What would they have the government do now - turn a blind eye to small polluters, or find a way to make them environmentally correct, whatever the cost?

The government offers financial incentives to the public and transport operators to switch to LPG or vehicles of lower polluting emissions. It claims some credit for lower pollution. Using taxpayers' money to make the ferries squeaky clean, however, would not make any difference to overall air quality that we could ever tell.

There is no question that marine and port emissions contribute to Hong Kong's air pollution. They are not, however, the main causes. The little Star ferries are, therefore, minor suspects.

Today, the Star ferries are mainly tourist attractions, having lost their previous function as a major means of cross-harbour transport to road and rail. As we contemplate their future, one of the questions to ask is how much the community is prepared to pay to preserve this lovely anachronism and help it meet the environmental requirements of the 21st century.

Star Ferry fleet faces an uncertain future
Bid to clean up vessels' emissions hits snag
28 July 2007
South China Morning Post

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Star Ferry's iconic but ageing vessels face a question mark over their future as efforts to clean up emissions run into a stumbling block and their book value shrinks towards zero.

The city's oldest public transport operator, already struggling with falling revenue and changing transport patterns, is up for a franchise renewal next year which might lead to stricter emission controls for the smoke-belching fleet.

It has been testing cleaner fuels and new devices for the past few months, but initial results have been disappointing, a source familiar with the test results said.

The source said one of the problems is that using ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel in the old engines does little to improve emissions and generates less power, which can lead to the use of more fuel.

If the problem cannot be solved, the company may have to consider replacing the fleet, a huge hurdle for an organisation that reported a profit of just over HK$6 million in 2005.

The ferries use industrial diesel with a sulfur content of 0.5 per cent - 100 times that of ultra-low-sulfur diesel, the only fuel available for diesel vehicles on the roads.

The operator tested diesel emulsified with water and chemicals, as well, but the emission result was not impressive and there were fears of pipe corrosion from the water content.

Star Ferry, founded in 1881, runs three commuting routes. Its eight passenger vessels are 46 years old, on average. The latest additions were Golden Star and World Star, acquired in 1989.

In its 2005 annual report, the firm said the acquisition cost of the fleet was about HK$46 million, but its net book value - after deducting accumulated depreciation - was only HK$2.9 million.

This meant that each vessel had an average disposal value of about HK$250,000.

The company has warned that the relocation of its Central pier and the pending removal of the bus terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui might further erode its revenue.

It has proposed a fare increase of 23 per cent for its Hung Hom routes, which it says are making an accumulated loss of HK$10 million. Its most popular route, between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, still makes a profit.

Asked about the emission tests, the company did not give details but said they were part of ongoing efforts to improve its operations.

A spokeswoman for the Environmental Protection Department said they were working on ways to help the ferry operator.

Air pollution from marine sources, including local ferries and ocean-going cargo ships, accounted for 17 per cent of the city's emissions of nitrogen oxide, 7 per cent of particulates and 4.6 per cent of sulfur dioxide in 2005. The government says it will explore the possibility of requiring ferry companies to switch to ultra-low-sulfur diesel when their licences are renewed.

Merging of ferry routes 'unavoidable'
21 July 2007
South China Morning Post

The government had a message yesterday for disgruntled ferry passengers in Lantau and Peng Chau: accept the merger of routes to the two islands - and longer journey times for some - or face the loss of the ferry service.

No ferry operator would be interested in bidding for separate routes from Central to Peng Chau and Mui Wo when the franchise came up for renewal in March, Deputy Secretary for Transport and Housing Cathy Chu Man-ling told lawmakers.

"We didn't just talk to the existing operator. We have also approached cross-boundary ferry operators, but none of them have shown any interest in the existing service packages," Miss Chu told the Legislative Council's transport panel.

The current operator, New World First Ferry, says it has lost more than HK$10 million on the routes since 2000.

The Transport Department has proposed merging services on the routes after 9am on weekdays, which would add 15 minutes to journey times between Central and Mui Wo but would help the operator save costs by cutting at least 10 daily sailings.

The Star Ferry Company, another operator complaining of persistent losses, sought to justify to lawmakers its application for a fare rise of 23 per cent on its Hung Hom-Central and Hung Hom-Wan Chai services.

Managing director Frankie Yick Chi-ming said the company had run up losses of HK$10 million on the Hung Hom services. He blamed the losses on the launch of several shuttle bus routes serving Hung Hom, and the relocation in 2002 of the terminal for Discovery Bay ferries, which used to be next to the now-demolished Star Ferry pier in Central.

Mr Yick said the company was likely to suffer even heavier losses once the public bus terminus outside the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry pier moves to the East Tsim Sha Tsui KCR station in 2009.

The Transport Department said it was considering turning public land at the new Star Ferry pier in Central over to the company for it to let out to businesses in order to increase its non-fare revenue. It will announce a decision on the application to raise fares at the end of the year.

Miss Chu rejected Democratic Party lawmakers' suggestion that asking a taxi driver for a discount be made illegal immediately. The move was proposed as a means of tackling illegal soliciting by taxi operators who offer discounts.

She said the Transport Advisory Committee was conducting a comprehensive review of the trade - including fares - and the government would only make a decision once the review was finished next year.

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澳洲兩巡防艦訪港
18/09/2007
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澳洲帕拉馬塔號及柏斯號澳紐軍團級巡防艦今日雙雙抵港，兩艘澳洲巡防艦於上午九時半至十時間駛進維多利亞港，在維港入口處出現，再停泊在灣仔碼頭以西。近四百名海軍及軍官包括五十七名女海軍，將在港逗留三日，估計每名海軍平均每日花七百八十元，合共九十三萬元推動本港經濟。

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Ferry firm threatens to reduce services
Hong Kong Standard
Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Pansy Ho Chiu-king, managing director of Shun Tak Holdings, yesterday warned that the company will reduce the service of its subsidiary TurboJET if the Hong Kong government allows The Venetian's Cotai Jet ferries to use the ferry terminal at Sheung Wan.

The Venetian has teamed up with Chu Kong Passenger Transport to provide services between Hong Kong and Macau, and has requested to use the Hong Kong-Macau ferry pier.

Ho warned that if more operators use the pier TurboJET would have to reduce services to maintain safety and quality.

TurboJET carried over 10 million passengers last year on all routes and is the sole operator using the pier at the Shun Tak Centre.

Although the company does not have a monopoly over the pier, it helped design it, Ho said.

"We know its capacity. We are using it very efficiently right now. If more operators come along it might go over the optimal capacity," she said.

The government, she said, is free to decide which operator can use the pier. "We are not trying to keep Sheung Wan pier all to ourselves," Ho said.

TurboJET's competitor First Ferry operates at the Tsim Sha Tsui-Hong Kong-China ferry terminal.

Ho said that arrangement was decided after in-depth studies and discussions. "It is the best way for both companies to operate efficiently," she said.

Ho said she welcomed competition, but urged the government to give current operators more time to prepare for changes.

TurboJET is also awaiting Macau government approval for it to use the new Taipa Pier in Macau.

Shun Tak tips increase in ferry sailings
Hong Kong Standard
Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Shun Tak Holdings (0242), which operates jetfoil services between Hong Kong and Macau, has pledged to step up frequency to meet rising patronage demands between the two cities.

The company said yesterday it had no intention of meddling in the government's decision on whether to introduce competitors to the ferry terminal in Sheung Wan as its managing director Pansy Ho Chiu-king on Monday expressed concern over possible effects on the operation.

"We reiterate that it requires a vast amount of technical skills and support, as well as the cooperation from and co- ordination with various parties, to operate a highly efficient ferry terminal," the company said.

"We have no intention to intervene in the SAR government's decision in relation to the introduction of additional operators to the terminal."

But Shun Tak said current usage of the ferry terminal is strained, and expressed concern that the arrival of new operators under the current situation may disturb the existing order of the terminal.

"This may in turn reduce its efficiency and handling capacity," the company said in its statement.

It added it would not reduce its services.

"To the contrary, we could introduce additional sailings to provide further convenience to our passengers, under the circumstances that the additional services would not pose any adverse effect to the efficiency and capacity of the terminal."

TurboJET, Shun Tak's subsidiary, carried more than 10 million passengers on all routes last year. TurboJET is also awaiting Macau government approval for it to use the new Taipa Pier.

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Photo Link from HKiTalk for Hydrofoil Nansha 28, posted by costalam (http://hkitalk.net/HKiTalk2/viewthread.php?tid=248111&extra=page%3D1)

Source : http://lunsmarineworld.com/

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LCQ7: Cross-boundary ferry services
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Government Press Release

Following is a question by Hon Wong Ting-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (November 14):

Question:

Regarding the cross-boundary ferry services in Hong Kong, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the total number of shipping companies currently providing cross-boundary ferry services between Hong Kong and Macau or the Mainland, and the respective numbers of ferry routes involved;

(b) whether there was an increase in the number of shipping companies applying for the use of the berths of local ferry terminals to provide cross-boundary ferry services last year; if so, of the details;

(c) whether it has received any application from the Las Vegas Sands Corp. for the operation of ferry services from Macau to the Hong Kong International Airport and the Macau Ferry Terminal at the Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan; if so, of the outcome of the applications, and whether it has assessed the impact of such ferry services on Hong Kong; and

(d) whether the existing cross-boundary ferry terminals in Hong Kong can provide sufficient berths for such ferries; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) At present, there are seven operators providing cross-boundary ferry services between Hong Kong and Macau and between Hong Kong and 13 ports in the Mainland at the four cross-boundary ferry terminals.

(b) and (c)

From time to time, Marine Department (MD) receives applications from operators for use of berthing slots and terminal facilities at the Hong Kong - Macau Ferry Terminal and the China Ferry Terminal for the provision of cross-boundary ferry services to Macau and the Mainland. As the applications involve the operators' commercial plans and decisions, we do not disclose details concerning the applications.

(d) In the light of the rising trend of cross-boundary ferry passengers, the Government will embark on a review on the use of cross-boundary ferry terminals. The purpose of the review is to further improve the operation of the cross-boundary ferry terminals, enhance the existing mechanism for allocating berthing slots and terminal facilities to ensure fair and efficient allocation of public resources, as well as to assess the future demands for berthing and terminal facilities for services to ports in the Mainland and to Macau, having particular regard to the need to maintain a high standard of passenger safety and comfort. Our objective is to enhance our connectivity with the Pearl River Delta region to maintain Hong Kong's position as a transport and maritime hub. We will consult ferry service operators when conducting the review.

We expect to complete the review in the first quarter of 2008. MD is now processing applications for berthing slots for services to be provided within this quarter (i.e. October to December 2007). As regards future applications for berthing slots by operators, other than those for the provision of existing services, MD will process applications for berthing slots for additional or new services upon completion of the review.

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Stanley Ho flapping mad as Macau sinks ferry monopoly
23 November 2007
South China Morning Post

Stanley Ho flapping mad as Macau sinks ferry monopoly

Spare a thought for King Stanley for having too many fingers in the casino pie.

On Wednesday, Stanley Ho Hung-sun bared his teeth on television over the loss of another monopoly - his ferry franchise. He slammed the Macau government for lacking a "fair, just and open" process in granting ferry licences to two rivals, including the Venetian Macao.

An hour before calling a media conference to air his grievance, his fourth wife Angela Leong On-kei, a Macau legislator, fired shots at Secretary for the Economy and Finance Francis Tam Pak-yuen for his favouritism towards foreign operators.

Worsening the Ho family's plight was Macau's new law banning slot machine halls in residential areas, threatening Prince Lawrence's Mocha Club, the city's largest one-armed bandit operator. (Maybe Mocha could contemplate becoming a coffee franchise!)

As much as we like what Mr Ho has been doing for the Las Vegas of the East, we sincerely hope for more competition in the ferry business.

Lai See and friends can recall how difficult it was to get two tickets from the Shun Tak terminal a few weekends ago. We had no way but to pay double, if not more, for something akin to scalpers' tickets.

Returning to Hong Kong was also a big problem. Only a lucky few attending a Black Eyed Peas concert that ended at midnight could come back before sunrise. It must have been worse last weekend with the Macau Grand Prix on. And brace for tomorrow when the match between tennis aces Roger Ferderer and Pete Sampras is held.

One of Macau's friendliest public relation veterans once told Lai See he had to entertain media guests overnight after a night function as most hotels were full and they could not get the ferry back home.

It seems he would have to suffer many more sleepless nights before a second ferry line starts to operate from Macau.

Casino developer Adelson launches new ferry service to serve Macau's Cotai strip
30 November 2007

HONG KONG (AP) - Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson is upping the ante against Macau competitors Friday by launching a ferry service from Hong Kong to the outlying strip of reclaimed land he hopes to transform into a massive gambling and vacation resort.

Macau's current ferry terminal is located on its mainland peninsula linked to China. That's where the casinos of many of Adelson's rivals are located, including Steve Wynn's Wynn Macau and Stanley Ho's Lisboa and Grand Lisboa.

The new CotaiJet service is based at a temporary terminal located near the reclaimed Cotai strip linking the outlying Taipa and Coloane islands. Billionaire Adelson -- who also runs Las Vegas Sands Corp. -- recently opened The Venetian Macao casino-resort at Cotai and is building other hotels nearby. Competitor Melco PBL is also building the City of Dreams resort on Cotai.

The new ferry service will start off running 20 daily rides on high-speed catamaran vessels to and from Macau, with the first ship leaving Hong Kong at 7 a.m. and the last ship leaving Macau at 5 p.m., according to its Web site.

The Venetian Macao currently runs free shuttle bus services across a bridge from the resort to the old ferry terminal on the mainland, a trip that takes about 15 minutes. The new ferry terminal will shorten that trip.

The CotaiJet service also plans to expand to rides from the Hong Kong airport to the pier near Cotai.

The new ferry services pose a double threat to Ho, who held a monopoly on casinos in Macau until 2002. The businessman's Shun Tak Group also runs the popular Turbojet ferry service from Hong Kong to the old Macau ferry pier.

The Shun Tak service has seen a visible increase in passenger traffic with the opening of new casinos in Macau, and the new ferry will likely take away some of that boost in business.

"There's clearly a very strong demand here that isn't being met," Las Vegas Sands Asia president Stephen Weaver was quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post Friday.

A one-way economy class ticket from Hong Kong to Macau on the CotaiJet service on a weekday costs HK$134 (US$17; €12) for the one-hour trip -- about the same fare charged by Turbojet.

Adelson said earlier this month initial results showed guests at the new Venetian Macao are staying longer than the market's average stay of 1.2 nights, boding well for his ambition of transforming Macau from a one-day gambling trip to a multi-day vacation destination.

The opening costs for The Venetian Macao helped contribute to a US$48.5 million (€32.9 million) loss in the third quarter for Adelson's Las Vegas Sands Corp. despite a 19.5 percent rise in revenue to US$661.0 million (€448.5 million).

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Setback for Sands as Macau court suspends 10-day-old ferry service
11 December 2007
South China Morning Post

A 10-day-old ferry service between Hong Kong and Macau will be suspended from this morning after Macau's Intermediate Court issued a prohibition order - overriding objections from the city's government.

Ferry operator Hong Kong North West Express applied for the prohibition order on November 13 on the grounds that the Macau government had not conducted an open tendering process.

The Macau government awarded a ferry operating licence to Cotai Waterjets, a firm controlled by Venetian Macau parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp, and Giant Dragon, a firm controlled by Macau businessman Ng Fok, to run a route between the new Pac On terminal, on Taipa, and Sheung Wan.

Its three 408-seat catamarans had been sailing 20 times a day.

Hong Kong North West Express had been hoping to start a twice-an-hour service from Tuen Mun to Macau, but the project was dashed in October last year when the Macau government turned down its docking application.

The Macau government opposed the court action, saying the ban would seriously compromise public interest. But the office of the secretary for transport and public works said in a statement yesterday that the court had rejected the administration's rationale and upheld the temporary suspension of the ferry services.

The government had contacted Cotai Waterjets after receiving notice from the court. The office said the court was handling the case and it would wait for the court's judgment in the business dispute and take action accordingly.

Stanley Ho Hung-sun, chairman of Shun Tak Holdings - the dominant ferry operator - has urged the government to withdraw or terminate the licence, saying the decision was unfair and lacked transparency.

Macau Legislator Au Kam-san said the court decision to suspend public services was unprecedented.

"There has never a case like this in Macau's history {hellip} it's possible that more business disputes will be taken to court as more large enterprises enter and invest in the city."

He said the problem lay in the faulty tendering process.

Camoes Tam Chi-keung, an assistant professor at Macau Inter-University Institute, said the case reflected the fierce competition for control of new berths.

每日僅開兩班航班40人當值秃資源
屯門碼頭官多過客
18/12/2007

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【專案組記者馮溢華報道】屯門客運碼頭在取消往來珠海的渡輪服務後，目前每日只提供來回蛇口各一班的渡輪服務，但政府多個部門，包括入境處、海關、警方卻要動用四十人處理每天只有三十多名的旅客，「一對一」服務旅客，人手分配嚴重失衡。

航線營運商西北航運快線有限公司總經理廖皓怡表示，該公司原本營運往來屯門至珠海及蛇口的兩條航線，但自今年十月珠海航線取消後，碼頭每日只有往來蛇口的航班各一班，兩班船合共只有約三十多名旅客出入境。

但政府用以應付旅客的人手卻和使用人次不成比例，其中入境事務處每日在航班到港及離港期間，便有至少三十人到碼頭，負責出入境櫃位檢查旅客身份及審批他們入境的申請。而海關和警方亦要派人在場檢查旅客行李及維持秩序等工作，合共人數超過四十人，令政府人員和旅客比例低於一比一，官多過客。

珠海線取消 旅客驟減
運輸及房屋局發言人回應指，在碼頭提供服務的政府部門，均按照渡輪班次靈活調配現時屯門客運碼頭的人手，在處理旅客出入境手續過後就會將相關人員轉移到其他出入境關卡當值。海關則表示，在珠海航線取消後已即時將部分人員調往其他管制站工作以善用資源。立法會議員陳偉業批評政府部門未能妥善運用人手，嚴重浪費公帑。

屯門客運碼頭原本只是一個本地航線碼頭，○二年政府租出部分地方予私人營運。西北航運於去年起開始營辦往來中港航線，先開辦往來珠海的航線，之後才開展蛇口航班。該碼頭全盛期每日處理近六百人次的出入境旅客，營辦商原計劃開辦往來澳門的航線，可惜到目前仍未成功。

Star Ferry granted new franchise
Friday, December 21, 2007
Government Press Release

The Chief Executive-in-Council has approved the granting of a new franchise to the Star Ferry Company Limited to continue operating the existing franchised ferry services from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui and from Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui for a term of 10 years effective from April 1, 2008, to March 31, 2018.

In renewing the current franchise, which will expire on March 31, 2008, the Government has taken into account the company's past record of providing a proper and efficient service to the public and its agreement to the inclusion of new franchise conditions that would enhance service standards and enable better regulation of its operation.

A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said, "A number of new clauses have been introduced in the new franchise. These include adopting the latest commercially available and proven technologies in maritime trade to reduce exhaust emissions when acquiring new vessels and on its existing vessels as far as reasonably practicable and conducting regular passenger satisfaction surveys.

"The company will enhance its operational transparency such as strengthening the procurement guidelines. It has also pledged to install closed circuit televisions at the navigation and engine rooms of all its existing vessels for monitoring safety performance. In addition, the company’s existing fare concessions will be maintained during the period of the new franchise."

The Chief Executive-in-Council has taken into account the Transport Advisory Committee's advice in considering the application.

By hkcnbus from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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Tourism in Macau a cash bonanza for ticket touts
23 December 2007
South China Morning Post

Ticket touts are increasingly working the ferry terminals between Hong Kong and Macau, cashing in on the tourism boom in the former Portuguese enclave that has revealed the inadequacy of ferry services.

Two recent major events in Macau - exhibition matches between tennis greats Pete Sampras and Roger Federer and basketball games involving Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Team China All-Stars - raised many public complaints about both the lack of ferries and associated ticket scalpers.

Shun Tak-China Travel Ship Management, whose TurboJet fleet operates most of the Hong Kong-Macau sailings, said it was worried about scalping and vowed to protect passengers from rip-offs.

A handful of scalpers can often be seen hanging about near ticket windows at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Macau and the Shun Tak Centre in Hong Kong, especially on weekends and holidays.

It is easy to recognise them as they shout to passers-by and urge travellers to abandon queues.

They become more active when tickets for imminent sailings are sold out and passengers face a wait of up to three hours before the next sailing. That is when touts sell an economy class ticket with a face value of HK$134 to HK$176 for HK$200 to HK$300, depending on demand.

On sluggish days, when ferries are not full, scalpers might sell tickets for up to HK$10 below their face value.

Shun Tak-China Travel said "the company is very concerned about such illegal activities" and was taking measures to stop it.

"We are consistently working with law enforcement departments, including the Marine Department and the police, to seek their assistance in deterring such activities, especially during holiday seasons."

A police officer patrolling at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Macau said it was difficult to arrest and charge touts. Much of the difficulty lay in finding a passenger willing to testify, he said.

"People are reluctant to serve as witnesses against scalpers," he said.

Some scalpers appear to be working for travel agencies at ferry terminals because they lead passengers to agencies' offices for tickets.

Advance bookings, with passenger co-operation, could be an effective way to combat scalping, Shun Tak-China Travel said.

"Customers can play a part in combating ticket touts by planning their trips early."

To encourage early booking, the company has launched online and wireless ticketing systems.

TurboJet plans on supplying 145,000 passenger seats for Christmas day and Boxing Day, up 17 per cent on the same period last year.

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2 Hong Kong-Macau ferries collide in heavy fog
10 missing after Shanghai ferry capsizes
11 January 2008

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Fog in Victoria Harbour

HONG KONG (AP) - Two hydrofoils ferrying passengers between the Chinese territories of Hong Kong and Macau collided at night in heavy fog, leaving 10 missing and seriously injuring 19 people, officials and local media reported.

The poor visibility Friday was also blamed for a number of other maritime accidents in the region. Parts of China's southern coast were enveloped in fog because of a warm, humid maritime air stream.

Thick fog blanketed China's commercial center, Shanghai, where an unlicensed river ferry carrying 22 people capsized Friday, leaving 10 missing, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported. The ferry, one of many that operate in the area without proper safety equipment or certification, sank near the city's Wusong pier shortly after the accident, Xinhua said.

The 10 men and nine women passengers hurt in the ferry collision in Macau suffered mainly head injuries and bone fractures that were not life-threatening, said Alex Che, a spokesman for the government of Macau.

Another 114 passengers suffered lighter injuries and were being treated in Macau, Che said.

Their updated conditions on Saturday were not immediately available, government spokeswoman Elena Au said.

"All the glass shattered and the front of the ship fell off," a male passenger, identified only by the surname Chan, told Hong Kong's Cable TV.

Wong Soi Man, director of Macau's Maritime Administration, said the accident's cause had not yet been determined, but "heavy fog must be one of the key factors."

In another incident, 66 people were rescued from a ferry that ran aground near the coastal city of Zhuhai near Macau, Xinhua said.

Hours earlier, another high-speed ferry traveling west from Hong Kong to Macau and carrying more than 370 passengers hit a small fishing vessel, said Hong Kong Marine Department spokeswoman Daisy Lo.

No one was injured and both vessels continued their journeys.

About 2,000 people were stranded at the Hong Kong and Macau ferry piers on Friday, local media reported.

The Hong Kong Observatory on Saturday forecast mainly fine weather, with some fog patches. Turbojet said its ferry services were back to normal.

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Macau court gives green light to Las Vegas casino mogul's ferry service
17 January 2008

HONG KONG (AP) - A Macau court has lifted its injunction suspending Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson's new ferry service to the southern Chinese gambling enclave of Macau, officials said Friday.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. said it welcomed Thursday's ruling and was preparing to resume its service.

Cotai Waterjets had been in operation just 11 days -- carrying passengers from Hong Kong to a port near Adelson's US$2.4. billion Venetian casino resort -- when Macau's Intermediate Court issued the injunction on Dec. 11.

It followed an appeal by rival operator Hong Kong North West Express against the Macau government's decision to award the ferry license to Adelson's Las Vegas Sands without an open tender.

The court lifted the injunction because it did not find enough evidence in the appeal to warrant the ferry's continued suspension, a government official said, requesting anonymity in line with policy.

"As we expected the court acted in an expeditious and prudent manner to consider the merits of the claim, and decided that the injunction should be removed," Stephen Weaver, president of Las Vegas Sands' Asia division said in a statement late Thursday.

The appeal by Hong Kong North West Express against the licensing decision was still before the court, lawyer Nuno Simoes told The Associated Press.

The new Cotai ferry service was launched Nov. 30 as part of Adelson's plan to improve transport links between Hong Kong and Cotai, a strip of reclaimed land on which he built the massive Venetian Macao casino. Competitor Melco PBL is building its City of Dreams resort on the same strip.

Macau's current ferry terminal, where North West Express ferries dock, is located on its mainland peninsula linked to China. The new CotaiJet service is based at a temporary terminal located closer to the reclaimed Cotai strip.

North West Express has applied several times to run a ferry to Cotai and been turned down.

Cotai Waterjets, also called CotaiJets, offered 20 daily trips on high-speed catamaran vessels to and from Macau, according to its Web site.

Morgan Stanley said the resumed service would benefit not only Las Vegas Sands, but all of Macau, as it would bring more people to the territory, the only place in China where casino gambling is legal.

"The most significant impact will most likely be seen during special events and weekends when infrastructure is especially capacity constrained and people simply can't get to Macau from Hong Kong," it said in a research note following the lifting of the injunction.

In the past, visitors to Macau were virtually guaranteed a seat on one of the high-speed catamarans even if they showed up at the Hong Kong terminal just minutes before departure. That's changed with the boom in Macau's popularity and the building of luxury casinos and shopping centers. Now, it's almost imperative to book tickets in advance, especially for weekend and holiday travel.

Source : http://www.fotop.net/Josephk/Josephk79

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Source : http://www.fotop.net/peterinblack

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Babies among those tossed into the sea as sampan overturns
9 February 2008
South China Morning Post

Fourteen adults and two babies on their way to visit family and friends for Lunar New Year fell into the sea yesterday when their sampan capsized at a jetty in North Lantau.

All managed to reach the Sha Lo Wan jetty, where they were given blankets to cover themselves and waited in a temple before being transported to Tung Chung.

The two baby girls, aged two months and 14 months, were admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital along with five people, aged between 27 and 13, after their chilly ordeal. None of them was injured.

The accident occurred at about 3pm, when the sampan, believed to be overloaded, was anchoring.

A 62-year-old man, surnamed Ng, who was in charge of the craft, was arrested for endangering life at sea. He was released on HK$3,000 bail and has to report back to police on March 9.

The Marine Department said it would investigate whether the sampan was overloaded.

The Observatory said the temperature of the waters off North Lantau was 14 to 15 degrees Celsius yesterday.

One witness, Miss Chan, said the passengers were standing on one side of the boat, preparing to disembark, when it overturned.

The sampans "do not carry so many people on normal days, but many visitors take the rides to greet their relatives during the Lunar New Year", said Miss Chan, who lived in Sha Lo Wan.

She said the sampans usually carried only four passengers.

Islands District Council vice-chairwoman Chau Chuen-heung said there were ferry services connecting Tung Chung, Tai O and Sha Lo Wan, but the ferries sailed only four times a day.

"You may have to wait for a few hours if you miss a scheduled service," Ms Chau said. "Such an inconvenience has pushed the people to take sampan rides, which are usually operated by local villagers."

The boats normally took only two to three passengers each time, she said.

Re-tenders as ferry firms push luck
15 February 2008
Hong Kong Standard

The Transport Department said yesterday that it would re-tender four outlying island ferry routes because bidders have asked for drastic fare rises of up to 50 percent.

The other tenders were accepted, with the Central-Cheung Chau and inter-island routes being awarded to the incumbent operator, New World First Ferry Services.

The new fare for the Central-Cheung Chau route will go up by 0.5 to 2 percent depending on the class and type of vessel used.

The fare for the ordinary ferry will be HK$15 on weekdays and Saturdays and HK$16.80 on Sundays and public holidays.

The inter-island route will go up by about 21 percent to HK$11.

In the initial tender, the four routes _ Central- Peng Chau; Central-Mui Wo; Central-Yung Shue Wan; and Central-Sok Kwu Wan _ were combined into two packages, with each receiving one bid.

However, the bidders sought to raise the fare for the Central-Peng Chau and Central-Mui Wo services by 30 percent, the Central-Yung Shue Wan route by 35 percent and the Central-Sok Kwu Wan by almost 50 percent.

In order to introduce more competition and to allow operators with only a few vessels to take part, the government will tender the four routes as separate packages.

With fuel constituting about 30 percent of the operational costs, the government has proposed reducing non-peak services and the cancellation of some overnight services to help reduce operational costs on these four routes.

By costalam from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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Islands anger rises over ferry squeeze
Hong Kong Standard
Monday, March 10, 2008

More than 300 Lamma, Peng Chau and Mui Wo residents yesterday protested against possible reductions in ferry services to Central and fare increases.

Locals and expatriates, chanting slogans like "shame on the government," gathered at Central Pier before heading to the Legislative Council, SAR government headquarters and Murray Building to hand over petitions. The services are being run under a cloud, with four new routes up for re-tender after prospective ferry firms proposed up to 50 percent fare rises.

"Right now, if we miss the 3am ferry we'll have to wait until seven to go home from Central," said a Peng Chau resident named Wong.

Protest convenor Kitty Wan Chi- yin said: "The Islands District is the largest in area of all 18 districts. The government should reform its policy on the outlying islands."

"Right now, if we miss the 3am ferry we'll have to wait until seven to go home from Central," said a Peng Chau resident named Wong.

Protest convenor Kitty Wan Chi- yin said: "The Islands District is the largest in area of all 18 districts. The government should reform its policy on the outlying islands."

lol, whose problem is it if they miss a 3am ferry! I'm guessing those 3 am ferries have maybe 10 passengers on them, if that.

plus, the islands district is the largest, but least populated, not to mention most difficult to get to, thus, an inherently higher cost for a transportation system to serve the district makes perfect sense.

Innovative ideas for funding ferries needed
15 March 2008
South China Morning Post

Our city's public transport systems are the envy of the world. Their efficiency, cleanliness, safety record and reasonable fares compare favourably with services anywhere else. Commuters can look forward to consistently improving and cheaper services, such as with the MTR Corporation, mostly because the services operate on healthy and growing profits. In this, however, the outlying ferry services are an exception because there is constant pressure to reduce services.

Of the five major routes from Central, only that to Cheung Chau is profitable. The other four routes - to Mui Wo, Peng Chau, Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan - have all failed to sustain profits. A sixth route travels between the islands. The rising cost of fuel adds more cost-cutting pressure on operators. The previous open bid for those four unprofitable routes failed because the only bidder demanded a fare increase of up to 40 per cent.

Yesterday, the government launched a new tender for the four routes, with terms and conditions revised from the last bid. Ferry frequency during non-peak hours will be reduced by only 5 to 10 minutes, much less than originally envisioned. Overnight services for Mui Wo and Peng Chau will be maintained. Slower and smaller ferries will be allowed on three of the four routes, except for Mui Wo, which will maintain both fast and ordinary boats.

The new terms - to be reviewed in three years - may satisfy most parties for now and buy some time for the government, provided that bidders learn from the last tender and do not demand excessive fare rises. But the basic conundrum remains: essentially, better-off islanders are willing to accept higher fares to maintain service standards, but those with lower incomes oppose them. The government, however, will not consider subsidising services. As part of a study to rejuvenate the Central harbourfront, it is thinking about adding an extra floor to the outlying islands pier. This may offer a solution. Ferry operators will be given more space to sublet to third parties and earn rental income to subsidise unprofitable routes. This is likely to be the most practical and acceptable long-term solution.

it seems like everyone in hong kong is using the ferries for transportation!

Star Ferry applies for increase in fares
25 April 2008
South China Morning Post

Star Ferry has joined the recent trend of calling for fare rises, by announcing yesterday it had proposed increasing fares up to 41 per cent on its two most popular routes.

Ticket prices on two routes - Tsim Sha Tsui to Central and Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai - would also vary on weekdays and public holidays under its proposal, contrary to its current practice.

Upper-deck passengers would be required to pay HK$2.50 on weekdays and HK$3 on weekends and holidays, a rise of 30 cents and 80 cents, respectively. Lower-deck passengers would have to pay HK$2 on weekdays and HK$2.40 on holidays.

Commuters said the increases were mild and the ferry would remain the cheapest way to cross the harbour.

But a coalition that monitors public transport and utilities said the increase would set a bad example to other public transport operators now demanding fare increases.

All public transport operators except the MTR Corporation and Peak Tramways Company have asked to raise fares to keep pace with inflation.

Apart from two other Star Ferry routes - Hung Hom to Wan Chai and Hung Hom to Central - which were granted fare rises earlier this month, the Transport Department is still assessing applications from the three bus firms, for four outlying islands ferry routes and 57 minibus routes.

The Star Ferry Company said patronage on the Tsim Sha Tsui-Central route had dropped 18 per cent since its Central pier was moved next to the outlying ferry pier in 2006. Coupled with rising fuel prices and reduced advertising income, the two routes recorded losses for the first time last year of HK$5.8 million.

The company said it expected losses again next year even if its application was approved.

By 3ASV196 from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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Source : http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/bigcathk_video/?start=all

Shun Tak to add routes to head off bridge impact
Hong Kong Standard
Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Shun Tak Holdings (0242), the ferry services, luxury hotel and property group run by Stanley Ho Hung-sun, plans to increase its ferry routes to combat a rival service and the planned Macau-Hong Kong-Zhuhai bridge.

The company may add routes between Hong Kong and Macau, and add locations in the Pearl River Delta, to counter competition from the Venetian Macao, run by Las Vegas Sands Corp, and possible lower demand for its ferry services when the bridge is built.

"Since the idea of the bridge first became serious five years ago we have begun preparing for its impact on our business," Bloomberg quoted Shun Tak managing director Pansy Ho Chiu- king as saying. "We realize we need to reduce our dependence on the single- route model."

The ferry unit contributed almost two-thirds of Shun Tak's 2007 revenue. Its Hong Kong-Macau route accounted for about 80 percent of ferry revenue.

Shun Tak has six ferry routes connecting Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen and Shekou. Las Vegas Sands' Hong Kong-Macau service began last year and the company plans to add a second route soon.

Pansy Ho said rising crude oil prices are another concern. "This accounts for nearly half of our overall operating cost," she said.

But Credit Suisse analyst Gabriel Chan said the impact of higher oil prices will only be short-term.

Meanwhile, Pansy Ho, who owns 50 percent of a joint venture with MGM Mirage, told Bloomberg that Macau's decision in April to stop approving new casino projects and halt issuing new gaming licences will not derail a second project in the city after its first Macau casino opened in October. "Our project is still definitely going to go along. It's only a matter of the processing."

By AnsonCCF from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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Note source on photos :

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Note source on photos :

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Green, heritage projects to get HK$1b boost
Solar-powered ferries for golfers
24 September 2008
South China Morning Post

The Jockey Club is to introduce solar-powered ferries between Sai Kung and its public golf course on Kau Sai Chau in an effort to lead in energy conservation and emission reduction.

The plan was disclosed yesterday as the club announced funding of more than HK$1 billion for a string of environmental and heritage projects across the city.

The four new ferries, with hybrid engines using solar and conventional power, are expected to go into service in November next year. The new boats are part of a club-initiated, city-wide project aimed at raising public awareness on environmental issues.

The project receives HK$350 million, the largest amount from HK$1.052 billion in funding for 109 community and charitable projects - including five new ones - announced yesterday.

The club's executive director for charities, William Yiu Yan-pui, declined to detail the cost of each boat because the club had signed an agreement with a commercial organisation. "We are taking the initiative to invest in new types of boats," he said. "The amount that the club spends will no doubt exceed that paid by those who come after."

Project Waterman, a water quality forecast and management system to be developed by the University of Hong Kong, was given HK$29.76 million. The system will give real-time forecasts and longer term predictions of water conditions.

"It is a platform that enhances decision-making on beach closures and optimises the utilisation of coastal waters for fisheries in fish cultural zones," Mr Yiu said.

An amount of HK$7.79 million is being donated to the Conservancy Association for renovation work at its Centre of Heritage, and a three-year community engagement and education programme to promote heritage conservation.

The Community Education Programme on Heritage Conservation and Rejuvenation in Wan Chai District, a three-year education programme launched by St James' Settlement, receives HK$3.89 million.

The club has also donated HK$3.43 million to Christian Action to launch a three-year project to help ethnic minority leaders and improve their organisational skills and knowledge in applying for funds and monitoring programmes.

Mr Yiu said the club did not set a fixed amount on how much it was willing to contribute each year.

"The imperative is that the donations can be used to tackle social problems," he said, adding that looming economic problems would not necessarily reduce the amount.

If the amount available depended solely on betting revenue, then reduction in these revenues "would no doubt harm the donations", he said.

"[But] the club has been running horse-racing for over 100 years and we have accumulated reserves to enable us in the very difficult times to still tackle the problems that are surfacing in the community."

Mr Yiu recalled that early in this decade, when the club's revenue from racing was dramatically lowered by an economic downtown and the effect of Sars, the club did not retreat from participating in charitable and community projects.

Are there any steam powered HK ferries?

Are there any steam powered HK ferries?

I don't think so.

By fblulu from dchome :

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By a396 from a Hong Kong discussion forum :

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By AnsonCCF from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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Star Ferry to lift fares up to 20pc
Hong Kong Standard
Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Star Ferry has been given permission to increase its fares by up to 20 percent, but in two stages starting on March 29.
In the first stage, weekday upper- deck fares will rise from HK$2.20 to HK$2.30 while weekend upper-deck fares will go from HK$2.20 to HK$2.50.

Lower-deck fares will rise from HK$1.70 to HK$1.80 on weekdays and from HK$1.80 to HK$2 on weekends.

The second stage, effective January next year, will see upper-deck fares rise to HK$2.50 and HK$3 on weekdays and weekends respectively, with lower-deck fares rising to HK$2 and HK$2.40.

The Executive Council gave the all clear after the company revised its proposal and agreed to implement the increases in two stages.

"The revised proposal reflects Star Ferry's willingness to ride out the present difficulties with the community and good corporate citizenship," a government spokesman said.

Star Ferry general manager Johnny Leung Tak-hin said an internal study had shown 95 percent of passengers would accept a fare rise to HK$2.50.

"Still, we forecast that Star Ferry will incur a loss of HK$5 million in 2009 and HK$1 million in 2010," he said.

The number of passengers daily had dropped by as much as 18 percent since the Central Ferry's Pier was moved in 2006 from the Central docking space. The number of passengers between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central has dropped from 50,000 daily to 42,500, Leung said.

"We are also concerned about the relocation of Tsim Sha Tsui bus terminal later this year. Our study suggests we might lose a further 8 to 11 percent of passengers. We hope the government will discuss the matter with us and try to minimize the effect," Leung added.

The fare concessions for disabled persons and free rides for elderly people aged 65 or above will remain.

Though the company is unable to make ends meet and has to operate with loans, Star Ferry said it will work hard to keep what has become a landmark in a business lasting 110 years. It will also try to generate additional revenue and save costs but has no plan to lay off staff.

Cheung Hok-ming, chairman of the Legislative Council panel on transport, said he hoped a fare-adjustment mechanism can be imposed for ferries in the long term.

Transport panel deputy chairman Andrew Cheng Kar-foo said in comparison with other transport, the increase is fair.

By costalam from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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By 貓丁 from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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By sammy from a Hong Kong discussion forum :

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Great gallery of Hong Kong Ferries!

Author : http://www.fotop.net/s5p25/s5p25

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受 大 霧 影 響 　 信 德 船 務 港 澳 航 班 一 度 延 誤
2009-02-15 HKT 15:30
RTHK

受 大 霧 影 響 ， 信 德 船 務 來 往 港 澳 的 航 班 一 度 延 誤 。

信 德 船 務 發 言 人 表 示 ， 早 上 11 時 ， 由 於 大 霧 ， 澳 門海 事 處 要 求 船 隻 單 程 航 行 ， 來 往 港 澳 的 航 班 一 度 由 每 15 分 鐘 一 班 ， 延 長 至 每 半 小時 一 班 ， 直 至 下 午 2 時 解 封 。

發 言 人 說 ， 其 間 乘 客 不 算 太 多 ， 無 須 加 班 船 。

By kcdyu from dchome :

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Outrage grows on bid to hike DB ferry fares
Hong Kong Standard
Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Discovery Bay residents are presenting a united front against a move by DB Transport Services and parent company Hong Kong Resort to raise ferry fares.

Residents and their district councillor are also expressing frustration about what they see as a lack of transparency on how ferry fare increases are approved.

Having delivered a petition of complaint with more than 4,500 signatures to the Transport Department last Friday, Island District Councillor Amy Yung Wing-sheung said the Discovery Bay Passenger Liaison Group wants the bid for a fare hike rejected outright.

An application submitted last year was for a 34 percent increase in fares. It was based on oil then priced at US$150 (HK$1,170) a barrel.

The liaison group also questioned the legitimacy of a study conducted through a "heavily slanted" questionnaire to residents.

"The results could have been manipulated not only through the way the questions were set up but by the fact Hong Kong Resort, which owns hundreds of properties in Discovery Bay, was entitled to vote," Yung said.

She is now threatening marches in Central to put pressure on the Legislative Council's transport panel and Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng Yu-wah. "Factors for the ferry hike are no longer valid," she said.

Rivals bid to delay new high-speed Macau link
2 February 2009
Lloyd's List

MACAO Dragon, which is planning a new high-speed ferry service between Hong Kong and Macau using 1,152-seat catamarans, has been forced to delay the launch of the service after a wrangle involving existing operators and the Macau government.

The Hong Kong government has already given its permission to Macao Dragon to begin the service using four of the high-speed ferries.

But sources said at least one of the existing operators had objected to the Macau authorities about the plan on the grounds that there was a lack of berthing capacity in Macau and the Hong Kong-Macau route was already saturated with ferries.

The catamarans have capacity for over twice as many passengers as existing high-speed ferries operated by Turbojet, controlled by local gaming mogul Stanley Ho, and Cotai Waterjet, an offshoot of the US-based Sands gambling outfit.

“The existing high-speed craft carry between 240 and 415 passengers and the Macao Dragon vessels threaten to overwhelm these two operators in what has become an extremely competitive market,” said one source.

He said visa restrictions and the economic downturn had put pressure on Turbojet and Cotai Waterjet to the extent that the latter had started to offer free ferry tickets.

“[Competition] is cut-throat, which is why objections against the Macao Dragon service have been made to the Macau government,” he added.

He said the wrangle was similar to the dispute between Mr Ho and the Sands group when Mr Ho tried to prevent the launch of the Cotai Waterjet services in November 2007.

Macao Dragon has taken delivery of Shen Long, the first of four 65 m catamarans being built by Singapore’s Marinteknik Shipbuilders. It is understood to have delayed delivery of the three others, the 65 m Tian Long and two 63 m ships, Huang Long and Pan Long, which were all scheduled to arrive early this year.

The vessels are to be flagged in Hong Kong and classed by Lloyd’s Register.

Sources said the ferry company has told Hong Kong’s Marine Department there will be a delay in registering the other three vessels.

Macao Dragon installed a pontoon at Hong Kong’s Macau ferry terminal to facilitate berthing but it was towed away last week because of the continuing delays.

Marine Department senior marine officer Newton Chan told Lloyd’s List that the pontoon had been moored at the terminal for several months but the ferry operator had been told to remove it because it was not ready to implement the service.

Despite requests, Macao Dragon, Macau’s Marine Department and Marinteknik Shipbuilders did not comment.

Las Vegas Sands to fight ban on its ferry service bringing gamblers from Hong Kong to Macau
26 February 2009

MACAU (AP) - Las Vegas Sands Corp. vowed Thursday to appeal a court ruling that bars the struggling casino company from running a ferry service to the southern Chinese gambling city of Macau.

Sands will file an appeal in the Macau's Court of Final Appeal by next week, the company said in a statement.

Its CotaiJet ferry service, which shuttles visitors between Hong Kong and Macau, where it runs two casinos and is developing more, will keep running until the matter is resolved in court or through other means.

A Macau court ruled last week that the government unlawfully granted CotaiJet a license to operate the service. Rival ferry operator Hong Kong North West Express, whose bid was turned down by Macau's government, had sued to block the contract.

The ruling was another blow to the Asian operations of publicly traded Sands, controlled by billionaire CEO Sheldon Adelson. The economic downturn has already led the company to suspended construction at two Macau sites.

"We believe the Macau authorities are committed to finding a solution that, in the event the lower court ruling is not reversed, would ensure that CotaiJet ferry operations are not suspended and that the public interest is protected," Adelson said in a statement.

North West did not immediately respond to calls seeking comment.

13 injured in Hong Kong ferry crash
20 March 2009
Agence France Presse

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20090321/img/a10321_big.jpg

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20090321/img/sn01032111_big.jpg
本港昨日被大霧籠罩，能見度低。

Thirteen people were injured when a high-speed Hong Kong ferry collided with another vessel in the early hours of Friday, a spokeswoman for the ferry company said.

The ferry was travelling from the outlying island of Cheung Chau to Hong Kong Island at 5:30 am (2130 GMT) when it collided with another medium-sized vessel, the spokeswoman for New World First Ferry Services told AFP.

The ferry was carrying 130 passengers and four crew. Thirteen passengers were taken to hospital with minor injuries, the spokeswoman added.

She said the company was now investigating the cause of the crash on what had been a foggy morning.

Hong Kong's waterways are some of the busiest in the world, with a fleet of passenger ferries and fishing boats competing for space with huge cargo ships heading in and out of the city's major port.

Last year, 18 Ukrainians died when their vessel sunk after colliding with a Chinese cargo ship in Hong Kong waters.

天星小輪兩航線明起加價
28/03/2009
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http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/news/20090328/img/sn04032802_big.jpg

【本報訊】經濟不景，專營巴士是否減價仍要等候半年才有結果，但全港最便宜的過海公共交通工具—天星小輪，則於明日起「逆市」加價，尖沙咀來往中環及灣仔兩條航線，於周六、日及公眾假期每程加價三毫，平日每程加一毫。今次只是天星小輪首階段加價，明年一月會再加價兩毫至五毫不等，兩階段合共加價最高八毫。

天星小輪去年向運輸署申請調高尖沙咀來往中環及灣仔兩條航線的收費，加幅高達百分之十三點六至四十一點二，一度不獲行政會議批准，後來天星小輪提出分兩階段加價才獲通過。

此外，來往北角至觀塘、西灣河至觀塘及西灣河至三家村，三條渡輪及街渡線的牌照期，將分別於今年八月及十月屆滿，運輸署正公開招標。

Silent rage in DB ferry fare row
8 April 2009
Hong Kong Standard

Hundreds of Discovery Bay residents were last night excluded from a meeting to discuss a proposed hike in ferry fares.

The meeting, which was described as ``extremely heated,'' was held by Hong Kong Resort International, parent company of ferry operator Discovery Bay Transportation Services. DBTS plans to raise the price of a HK$27 single journey fare by about 30 percent.

According to resident Eddie Overington, HKRI dodged questions on fuel price assumptions used in their calculations and gave evasive answers.

There was total lack of coordination on HKRI's part, Island District Councillor Amy Yung Wing-sheung said, adding that company attempts to control the crowd and its questions forced concerned residents to seize the microphone in an attempt to be heard.

She said three senior transport department officers were at the meeting.

Earlier, residents announced large-scale protests against any ferry fare hike.

The first of at least three protests takes place at Discovery Bay Plaza on Saturday afternoon.

Residents also plan a demonstration at the Legislative Council and a march to government offices with a letter to Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng Yu-wah. Yung has said talkswill not progress until the company opens its books and justifies the proposed hike.

The company and the Passenger Liaison Group and City Owner's Committee representing residents met the Transport Department twice last month, but little progress was made in reaching a deal. The ferry service licence expires on April 30.

``The Transport Department is not protecting the public interest,'' Yung said. ``They sent us a paper they received from the company saying it had HK$64 million in losses, but the annual report showed only a HK$35 million internal loss.''

She added that the discrepancy ``goes to show how the department is not doing its job,'' and accused the government of ``working very closely'' with the ferry company.

The company says the fare increase is necessary to prevent another big loss this year, but its proposal submitted last year said the hike was in response to sky-high oil prices that have since dropped dramatically.

District councillors from Lamma and Cheung Chau have pledged their support, Yung said, adding that public sentiment has hardened against the ferry company.

By Penha from a Hong Kong discussion forum :

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Protesters' ship stopped on its way to Diaoyu Islands for second time in two days
4 May 2009
South China Morning Post

A local ship full of activists heading for the Diaoyu Islands in an effort to declare Chinese sovereignty over them has been stopped by the Marine Department and police for the second time in two days.

The incidents on Saturday and yesterday were the first time Hong Kong authorities have blocked protest trips by the Action Committee for Defending the Diaoyu Islands. The group has made five trips to the islands since 1996.

About 13 activists and crew members left in the Kai Fung No2 from Shau Kei Wan typhoon shelter at 5pm yesterday.

The ship was stopped by three police boats in Joss House Bay, Sai Kung, at about 6pm, according to a committee spokesman. It was forced to head back to marine police headquarters in Sai Wan Ho after a six-hour stand-off. The activists went ashore to aid police investigations.

On Saturday, the Marine Department and police stopped the vessel west of Lamma Island and prohibited it from proceeding. In a letter dated Friday, the department warned the activists that it was illegal to take Kai Fung No2 to the Diaoyus because it was a registered fishing vessel and must not be used for other activities.

After Saturday's inspection, it said the ship did not meet fire standards. Committee spokesman Tsang Kin-shing said all ships the group had used in the past had been registered fishing vessels. After installation of additional equipment and another department check, the vessel had set off again yesterday.

Mr Tsang said he believed the Hong Kong government had been pressured to stop the trip because of warming Sino-Japanese ties. He said that a central government liaison official had on Thursday asked the group to sail from Taiwan instead of Hong Kong, and had offered to pay activists' airfares, which they had rejected.

The activists joined a march to the Japanese consulate yesterday morning, protesting against claims by Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso that the islands were Japanese territory.

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New captain to steer NWS on road and water
8 July 2009
The Standard

NWS Holdings (0659), the infrastructure and services unit of New World Development (0017), will in the future focus on its water and road business and streamline all its side businesses, said the newly appointed executive director Brian Cheng.

The second grandson of chairman Cheng Yu-tung hopes to lift the profit contribution from water projects to 70 percent in the next few years, against the current 50 percent.

After joining the family firm in 2007, Cheng said he hopes to bring the infrastructure company to the attention of the investment community, streamline current operation and offload non-core units such as cleaning firms.

NWS would also review its ferry business with an eye to shedding it when its current contract expires in 2011.

In the long run, the firm will also address its thin liquidity problem and may place shares to expand the shareholder base when acquisition opportunities arise.

On the recent US$10 million (HK$78 million) outlay in G-Resources Group (1051), Cheng said it was just a treasury transaction.

By ivancyh from dchome :

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Opinion : Star Ferry is more than a tourist attraction to Hong Kong people
6 July 2009
SCMP

I refer to the letter by Winifred Chung, for the Commissioner for Tourism ("Piazza will be public space for all to enjoy", June 27) replying to the letter by Charlie Chan Wing-tai ("Iconic Star Ferry will suffer if bus terminal is relocated", June 20).

Charlie Chan must accept that what matters these days is not what ordinary Hong Kong people want or like. The Star Ferry has a special place in our hearts but the government is hell-bent on eliminating its role as a public transport system and converting it into a mere tourist attraction.

This is demonstrated by a number of measures. The original Central Star Ferry pier, so convenient to reach, was eliminated and the ferry service moved to its current out-of-the-way location. Plans are afoot to extend the elephantine Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre onto the Wan Chai pier bus station. This will certainly affect passenger flow on that route. Further erosion of passenger numbers will be inevitable if proposals to place a commercial helipad on Golden Bauhinia Square go through.

In Tsim Sha Tsui, the bus terminal that since 1921 has allowed convenient interchange between bus and ferry services for thousands of daily commuters is to be moved to Tsim Sha Tsui East, miles away. Why? To make a piazza for tourists. Never mind that a long expanse of the harbourfront is already dedicated to tourists via the Avenue of the Stars.

Objections on the part of Hong Kong people to restrictions on access to Star Ferry services are met with the "It's the economy, stupid" argument. Whatever the Tourism Commission rightly or wrongly feels will appeal to tourists takes precedence over the interests of Hong Kong citizens. Ms Chung puts it that because the bus terminus has been extensively altered it has no heritage value. This completely ignores the convenience and sentiments of local people. Why has the commission taken over town planning to override our interests and pander to tourists?

Perhaps the government's majority shareholding in the MTR, a much more expensive and stressful form of transport, is behind the push to marginalise the ferry service? Whatever, local people are once again the losers.

Candy Tam, Wan Chai

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Last operator happy hand-pulled Tai O ferry may return to service
25 July 2009
South China Morning Post

The last operator of a hand-pulled punt in Tai O says she is happy to see a government plan to bring the ferry back, but she is too old to return to the work again.

Although she finished with the ferry service in 1996, Cheung Mei-ho still keeps her little wooden boat behind her stilt house, the land covered with debris and weeds.

Ms Cheung, 77, used to take residents and tourists across the 15-metre creek dividing the fishing village. The ferry, once the only means to "cross the sea", as the villagers put it, was replaced by a HK$15 million cantilever bridge in 1996. The ferry was said to be the cheapest form of transport in Hong Kong, charging only 10 cents when Ms Cheung first started in the late 1970s. The fare increased to 50 cents later.

The government has recently suggested reviving the Tai O punts as part of revitalisation measures.

"If the government is willing to do this, perhaps I can offer some advice, but I won't be working any more," Ms Cheung said. "But first it has to make sure our fellows will get paid."

Ms Cheung said the ferry service brought respect and employment to her family, despite the tough work. "The later days were particularly busy. Lots of people came to see Hong Kong before the 1997 handover, and also to see this place."

Ms Cheung's husband was a fisherman and grocery store owner, and she operated two boats with her brother, sister and neighbours. The operators assembled the boats themselves.

Each boat required three pairs of hands, two pulling the rope and the other collecting fares. Ms Cheung collected the fares.

The business earned one hundred dollars on a lean day, and several hundred on a holiday. A monthly fee was paid to the local rural committee, which tendered the service.

"We worked under the sun, in scorching summers like today, sending people to work or to visit this place. Everyone said we did a good job for Tai O."

The ferries ran from early morning to midnight. The night shift catered to locals returning from work in the city.

After the bridge was built, several attempts to revive the rope ferry on public holidays failed because of poor business.

Ms Cheung's husband, Wong Ngau-chai, was sceptical over the ferry's return. "Things are so convenient with the bridge now that no one would want to waste time with the ferry. And it is not profitable."

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Father and son drown after barge capsizes in heavy seas off Shek O
4 August 2009
South China Morning Post

A father and son drowned when a barge overturned in rough seas off Shek O yesterday.

The 49-metre vessel, which was carrying a load of sand and stones, was being towed by a tugboat from Shek O quarry to Yau Tong when it was overwhelmed by choppy seas off Cape D'Aguilar and capsized at about 4.30pm, sending the father and his two sons into the water.

The No1 storm signal was in force at the time.

Crew members on the tugboat launched an immediate rescue attempt, eventually pulling the three on board.

Vessels from the Fire Services Department and marine police rushed to the scene and escorted the tugboat to the Chai Wan cargo handling area, where the trio were transferred to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital.

The father, 60, and his younger son, 34, were declared dead at the hospital. The elder son, 36, remained in serious condition last night.

A mechanic on the tugboat said the wave that capsized the barge was huge.

Swimmers and sunbathers at Shek O Beach said the sea was choppy when the accident, which took place about two kilometres off the beach, happened.

Lifeguards on duty at the beach said the capsized vessel had been drifting towards the beach.

Workers from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, which manages the beach, were monitoring the situation last night.

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Opinion : Tourists need bus interchange more than yet another piazza
21 August 2009
South China Morning Post

The tourism commissioner has claimed that the planned piazza on the current site of the Tsim Sha Tsui bus terminus will boost tourism ("Tourism boss defends TST piazza plan", August 17).

As a regular visitor to Hong Kong, I would argue that this will do nothing of the sort. Tsim Sha Tsui already has piazzas outside the Cultural Centre and at 1881 Heritage, the former Marine Police headquarters.

Additionally, Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade and the Avenue of Stars are large harbourfront recreational areas for tourists where outdoor entertainment regularly takes place.

The planned Central harbourfront will have piazzas, Ngong Ping is currently being vandalised by the construction of a new piazza and no doubt West Kowloon Cultural District will also have a piazza. In fact, Hong Kong seems to have an obsession with using the building of piazzas as an excuse to replace anything that allegedly has no "heritage value".

Well, I can assure the commissioner that the bus terminus next to the Star Ferry does have a heritage value as far as this visitor is concerned. For many years, it has provided an extremely useful interchange for those of us travelling from Hong Kong Island, already inconvenienced by the relocation of the Central Star Ferry Pier. You can catch buses travelling up Nathan Road or to Hung Hom and to places beyond as an alternative to being entombed underground in an MTR carriage.

The Octopus card makes bus travel for tourists in Hong Kong extremely easy and, rather than encourage the demolition of this bus terminus, the Tourism Board would better serve tourists by promoting the bus routes that operate from this terminus to such attractions as Mong Kok street markets, the flower market, bird garden, Museum of History, Science Museum, Kowloon Walled City Park and Wong Tai Sin Temple.

I doubt very much whether this development would attract a single additional tourist. The piazza is neither wanted nor needed even if it does include an old train carriage as a visitor centre, presumably in a similar vein to the old tram cabin which poses as a visitor centre at, yes, you guessed, the Peak piazza.

Ian Boyce, Southampton, England

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From news.gov.hk:
Trial of ferries using cleaner fuel launches (http://news.gov.hk/en/category/environment/090825/html/090825en04002.htm)

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Two killed in South China ferry collision

HONG KONG, Nov 5 (Reuters) - A high-speed ferry travelling from Hong Kong to the Southern Chinese city of Guangzhou collided with another ship on Thursday, killing two foreign passengers, a marine official said.

The high speed, double-decker ferry had been nearing its destination in Guangzhou's southern Panyu district when it struck a sand transport vessel, a spokeswoman for the Hong Kong Marine Department said.

Two foreigners were killed and eight people injured, the spokeswoman added, without confirming the nationalities of the dead.

But an employee of Shilou hospital, where some of the victims were taken, confirmed one of the deceased was a Dutch citizen, Hong Kong's Cable Television reported.

A staffer contacted by Reuters at the hospital's emergency ward refused to comment on the accident.

The Chu Kong Passenger Transport Co., which owns the ferry, said 75 passengers and nine crew were on its ship at the time.

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HK's 'Rumpole' was tireless in the search for justice
8 November 2009
South China Morning Post

One of the enduring memories of former barrister and acting District Court judge, Albert Sanguinetti, who died on October 27 aged 86, is of him, fittingly, in court.

With his case not proceeding well, Sanguinetti disappeared under his table. The confused judge asked him what he was doing. "I am simply searching for justice my lord," came the response. Above the general laughter, even the judge was seen to smile wryly at a lawyer well known for his wit and intellect.

On another occasion, a farmer he was representing whispered to Sanguinetti's interpreter. The judge asked what was said. He replied that he could not repeat the private message. When the judge demanded he do so, Sanguinetti said: "My client asks why I am wearing a cauliflower on my head."

Sanguinetti later said: "It made me realise how ridiculous it was to have wigs in court."

Before arriving in Hong Kong in 1958, Sanguinetti spent two years in Kenya with Britain's Colonial Legal Service. He was assistant attorney general of Gibraltar from 1952.

Arriving in Hong Kong aged 35, he soon became a magistrate.

His experiences here had a profound influence. He believed that the law had a responsibility to rehabilitate people, not condemn them. "I remember the venerable Hin Shing-lo, who for years sat in the Magistrates' Court," Sanguinetti recalled. "He was much respected and loved by the Chinese and others and was a merciful person indeed {hellip} invariably he gave the offender a chance."

Sanguinetti came to believe that the harsher the punishment, the less chance it had of being either a deterrent, or useful for rehabilitation. His philosophy was a direct challenge to the prevailing colonial justice system, in which corporal punishment was common. He relentlessly pursued its abolition.

Last year he said: "I was absolutely stunned when I first came here in 1958. They were given {hellip} the cane, simply for begging. For being destitute - for not having parents to look after you. Can you believe that?"

A close associate was Elsie Tu (then Elsie Elliott), one of Hong Kong's most influential social campaigners throughout the 1960s and '70s. The matter of five HK cents brought them together. In 1965, the Star Ferry applied to raise its fare from 20 to 25 cents. Despite Tu collecting 20,000 signatures, the Transport Advisory Committee approved the price rise in March 1966.

The Kowloon riots began a month later. Tu was called to give information to a court of inquiry. She recalled: "Since the police were determined to attribute those causes to me, for having led an entirely disconnected earlier protest against the fare increase, I sensed from the outset that I would be transformed from witness into defendant."

Sanguinetti agreed to represent Tu for just HK$1. As she predicted, the inquiry quickly turned into a de facto trial. Disgusted, his summing-up was one of the shortest in the history of Hong Kong jurisprudence. Placing a large Bible in front of him, he read: "Whoever finds this person guilty is passing judgment unto himself."

The final judgment of the court was that Tu be sent, in the judge's words, "before the court of public opinion for censure".

A short time later, she was elected to the Urban Council with, as she recounted, "the highest number of votes on record".

"For ever after, Albert would tease me that I still owed him his dollar. I will always be personally indebted to him for the role he played in representing me."

Sanguinetti was one of the two founding members of the Hong Kong Section of the International Commission of Jurists, a NGO dedicated to law and human rights. He represented Amnesty International as an observer in South Korea and Vietnam.

"Unofficially, I was Amnesty's man in Hong Kong," he said.

He was awarded life membership of the Bar Association on its 50th anniversary in 1996. Ever the rebel, he twice declined the title of Queen's Counsel, believing it superfluous given the imminent handover, which he supported, telling anyone who would listen: "The sooner the better."

He never married, dedicating himself to the law. In doing so he reminded many of Rumpole of the Bailey, his arms swinging out of the sleeves of his tattered gown and his disintegrating wig slightly askew. His pipe and gold-rimmed monocle added to the effect. And like John Mortimer's fictional character, Sanguinetti had an astute legal brain.

According to his friend Brian McElney, former president of the Law Society, work as a barrister brought out the best in him.

"Albert flourished greatly, building up one of the best practices in Hong Kong," he said. "He was tenacious fighter and would do all in his power to fight for his client and ensure he had a fair trial. Albert was truly an expert on the law of evidence in criminal cases {hellip} Hong Kong's real life 'Rumpole'."

A compassionate and generous man, the self-styled Robin Hood of Hong Kong lawyers charged the wealthy while taking on cases of the poor that no other lawyer wanted.

When Au Pui-kuen, a police detective, shot a youth dead for asking him to drive more carefully, Sanguinetti represented the poor youth's family on a pro-bono basis.

He retired from the Bar in 1994.

Albert J.J. Sanguinetti's ashes will be scattered across the waters of Hong Kong, according to his wishes.

He is survived by two sisters and numerous nieces and nephews.

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Free ferry makes sea burials a realistic option
24 January 2010
South China Morning Post

For 72-year-old Yu Tai, scattering her husband's ashes into the sea yesterday after a simple, 10-minute ceremony seemed a natural choice.

"Humans belong to nature. It's good to return to nature when you die," Yu said.

Yu was a member of one of six families on the government's first free ferry service for burials at sea.

After the 35-minute boat ride from the Sai Wan Ho public pier to the east of Tung Lung Chau, the families prayed and burned joss sticks.

The vessel paused as each family took about 10 minutes to perform a simple ceremony.

They scattered the ashes of their cremated relatives into the sea, using a 11/2-metre half-tube.

Only human ashes and a handful of flower petals were allowed to be scattered into the water.

Lau Oi-wan, who scattered her mother's ashes from the ferry, said sea burials were cheaper and saved waiting for an urn in a columbarium.

"It takes a long time to get an urn. I don't come from a rich family - we would need to save up to buy one, they're very dear," she said.

The new service will run every Saturday at 9am. Each boat trip will take up to 10 family groups, limited to seven family members, relatives or friends.

The free boat service has been contracted out for a year at a cost of about HK$180,000.

Tang Pui-han, who was also aboard the ferry, said sea burials had a practical advantage - saving space.

"You need space to build columbariums. It wastes land. But sea burials save land so that it can be used for other purposes," she said.

However, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department director Cheuk Wing-hing said sea burials would not replace urns.

"We will try our best to provide more urns to meet public needs," he said. "We are not using sea burials to replace urns - we're just providing another choice."

The Hong Kong Sea Burial Service Centre has provided ferry services for sea burials since 2006. Centre social worker Chan Fuk-chi said the government should loosen regulations for memorial services at sea.

"People have different religious beliefs. Christian families want to have a pastor present, while other religions want to burn offerings. The department's memorial ceremony is too simple. We should respect the wishes of the deceased," he said.

Cheuk said allowing pastors on board would be considered in a review of the service.

St James Settlement social worker Gary Sham Chi-wing welcomed the free service and said it would help poor families. "Those families who have financial difficulties will benefit," he said. "But sea burials will not solve the urn shortage issue. The government should act to solve that."

Since July 2007, Hongkongers have been able to apply to scatter the ashes of relatives at three maritime locations: areas east of Tung Lung Chau and Tap Mun and one south of the West Lamma Channel.

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TCU receives fewer complaints in 2009
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Government Press Release

The Transport Complaints Unit (TCU) of the Transport Advisory Committee received 16,861 complaints and suggestions in 2009. Among these, 163 were pure suggestions. The total number of cases recorded a decrease of 12.7% compared with 19,308 cases in 2008. The major areas of concern were related to public transport services (82%), enforcement matters (12%) and traffic conditions (4%).

The number of complaints and suggestions on public transport services decreased by 10.2% from 15,352 in 2008 to 13,780 in 2009.

The number of complaints and suggestions on franchised bus services decreased from 3,122 in 2008 to 2,799 in 2009. The decrease was mainly attributable to fewer cases about passenger services and facilities and frequency/carrying capacity. Cases concerning residents’ services increased from 54 in 2008 to 63 in 2009.

The number of complaints and suggestions on public light bus services decreased from 3,248 in 2008 to 3,056 in 2009. The decrease was mainly attributable to fewer complaints about regularity of service and conduct and performance of staff.

Cases related to taxi services decreased from 8,005 in 2008 to 7,277 in 2009. The decrease was mainly due to fewer complaints about taxi driver malpractice, especially those related to conduct and performance of drivers and failure to take the most direct route.

Complaints and suggestions on rail services decreased from 860 in 2008 to 535 in 2009. The decrease was mainly attributable to fewer complaints about audio-visual broadcasting on Mass Transit Railway trains. Cases related to ferry services also decreased from 63 in 2008 to 50 in 2009.

The number of complaints about illegal parking and other enforcement matters decreased from 2,500 in 2008 to 1,995 in 2009. Complaints and suggestions on traffic conditions decreased from 897 in 2008 to 662 in 2009. Complaints about road maintenance also decreased from 291 in 2008 to 227 in 2009.

The relevant government departments and public transport operators have introduced a series of measures to address the concerns raised by the complainants. The TCU will continue to closely monitor the effectiveness of the new measures and suggest additional measures where necessary.

As regards the last quarter in 2009 covering the period between October 1 and December 31, 2009, the unit received 4,225 complaints and suggestions. Among these, 34 were pure suggestions. The total number of cases represents a decrease of 10.1% compared with 4,701 cases in the previous quarter, and a decrease of 6.8% compared with 4,534 cases in the same quarter of 2008.

The complaints and suggestions were mostly related to public transport services (82%), enforcement matters (12%) and traffic conditions (4%). All the complaints and suggestions received by the TCU were referred to the relevant authorities and government departments for follow-up action.

During the quarter, the relevant government departments and organisations took on board 56 suggestions made by the public to enhance public transport services and improve traffic conditions. A summary of the cases where public suggestions have helped to bring about improvements is at the Appendix.

Members of the public may make their suggestions or complaints to the TCU by dialling the hotline 2889 9999 (voice mail service outside office hours), by fax to 2577 1858, by email to info@tcu.gov.hk or by filling in a complaint form downloaded from the TCU website (www.info.gov.hk/tcu).

Appendix
--------

Public Suggestions Taken on Board by Relevant Authorities
(October - December 2009)

I. Public Transport Services

* Provide disabled facilities at Chuen On Road Public Transport Interchange to facilitate disabled passengers.

II. Traffic Management

Hong Kong Island

* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at the following locations to alleviate traffic congestion : Robinson Road, Smithfield, Nam Hong Street and Wong Chuk Hang Road.

* Increase the pedestrian green time of traffic lights at Des Voeux Road West and Yik Yam Street to facilitate pedestrians.

* Adjust the push button setting of a traffic light at Pok Fu Lam Road to improve road safety.

* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at Tai Tam Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.

* Extend the effective hours of "No Stopping Restriction" at Hennessy Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.

* Impose "No U-turn" restriction at Man Cheung Street to improve road safety.

* Relocate a traffic sign at Sheung On Street to improve road safety.

* Add a "Keep Clear" road marking at A Kung Ngam Village Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.

* Delete a taxi stand at Ngan Mok Street to improve traffic flow.

Kowloon

* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at the following locations to alleviate traffic congestion: Pui Ching Road, Hung Hom Road, Kai Tin Road, Lin Cheung Road and Wui Cheung Road.

* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at Castle Peak Road and Argyle Street to improve traffic flow.

* Increase the pedestrian green time of traffic lights at Yen Chow Street and Austin Road to facilitate pedestrians.

* Increase the waiting time for pedestrian green phase of a traffic light at Hong Ning Road to improve road safety.

* Synchronise traffic lights and shorten the cycle time of traffic lights at Lai Chi Kok Road to improve traffic flow.

* Adjust the cycle time of traffic lights at the following locations to improve traffic flow : To Kwa Wan Road, Kung Lok Road, Hung Luen Road, Hung Lok Road and Hung Lai Road.

* Add a traffic light at Prince Edward Road West to facilitate motorists.

* Extend "No Stopping Restriction" at Po Kong Village Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.

* Extend the effective hours of "No Stopping Restriction" at Ngau Tau Kok Road to prevent vehicle obstruction.

* Add road marking and traffic sign at Tonkin Street to remind motorists to slow down.

* Add a road marking at Pentland Street to remind motorists to give way to other traffic.

* Add pedestrian crossings at Cumberland Road and Tak Man Street to facilitate pedestrians.

* Add parking spaces for motorcycles at Man Siu Street and King Tung Street to facilitate motorcyclists.

* Relocate a bus stop at Hereford Road to improve the sight-line for motorists.

* Prohibit entry of medium and heavy goods vehicles into Maidstone Road to minimise traffic noise nuisance.

New Territories

* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at the following locations to alleviate traffic congestion: Castle Peak Road – Sham Tseng, Tin Kwai Road, Tai Tong Road, Ma Tong Road and On Sum Street.

* Increase the vehicular green time of traffic lights at Tin Wu Road and Tin Pak Road to improve traffic flow.

* Shorten the waiting time for pedestrian green phase of a traffic light at Tai Loong Street to facilitate pedestrians.

* Relocate a traffic light at Mei Tin Road to facilitate motorists.

* Adjust the orientation of traffic lights at Pui To Road and Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road to facilitate pedestrians.

* Impose "No Stopping Restriction" at Tong Yan San Tsuen Road, San Hi Tsuen Street and San Fui Street to prevent vehicle obstruction.

* Add a traffic sign at Wan Po Road to remind motorists of traffic lights ahead.

* Add traffic sign and road marking at Pun Shan Street to remind motorists to give way to other traffic.

* Convert a "Turn Left Only" arrow road marking to an "Ahead Only or Turn Left" one at Siu Lek Yuen Road to improve road safety.

* Add parking spaces for motorcycles at Wu Shan Road to facilitate motorcyclists.

* Convert half-hour metered parking spaces for coaches to one-hour ones at Yuen Long Tai Yuk Road to facilitate coach drivers.

Source : http://www.pbase.com/chunlo

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Source : http://www.fotop.net/wkhvincent/LKT

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By IvAnEUFS from a Hong Kong transport forum :

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Relocation to Central will not shut pier to ferries, museum pledges
24 April 2010
South China Morning Post

The privately owned Maritime Museum, under criticism for its plan to move to one of the Star Ferry piers in Central, has given an assurance it has no plan to shut the pier to ferries and that there will still be plenty of public space after it moves in.

The museum, now on the ground floor of Murray House in Stanley, presented its plan to a committee of the Central and Western District Council on Thursday, with the support of the Home Affairs Bureau.

It is asking to be relocated to Pier 8 - now used by the Star Ferry's Hung Hom service - because it needs a home that is bigger to house a collection that has grown from 650 to 3,000 items in four years.

The Society for Protection of the Harbour said the museum use did not meet the "overriding public need" test for use of harbourfront land. It was also upset that the public observation deck would become private but said it would be more acceptable if the museum left the ground floor open as a ferry pier.

The museum yesterday said it had no plan to end the pier's primary use as a ferry pier. The Star Ferry's Hung Hom service would still operate there and small historic ships could still visit. It also argued that not many people had been using the pier space.

The museum plans to convert the pier roof into a cafe and exhibition halls while the public observation deck would become a gift shop and house more exhibition halls. The ground floor would be used as the museum office and storage area. It said there was more than 3,000 square metres of open space nearby.

Director Dr Stephen Davies stressed that profit generated would only used for running the museum.

"Converting the pier to a maritime museum focused on Victoria Harbour is what it's all about. It is not turning it into a property development, shopping mall or whatever to enrich a private company," he said. "Every cent we earn goes towards collecting, preserving and exhibiting Hong Kong's maritime heritage."

Davies said the museum had to charge visitors to sustain its operation, which he said cost 40 per cent less than an equivalent government-run museum. The admission fee of HK$30 for adults and HK$15 for children and seniors could recover about a third of the real cost, he added.

Fog-bound ferry evacuated after running aground
The Standard
Wednesday, April 14, 2010

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A high-speed double-deck New World First ferry with 40 passengers on board ran aground off Peng Chau Island in heavy fog yesterday.
Visibility in the outlying islands was about 500 meters at the time of the accident, the Observatory said.

No injuries were reported, but water seeped into the ferry , which was towed away.

The catamaran left Central pier at 9.10am bound for Mui Wo with 40 passengers and four crew aboard.

"Another ferry was sent to transfer the affected passengers. They arrived at Mui Wo at about 10.40am," New World First Ferry spokeswoman Anthea Chow said.

"The ferry captain said visibility was less than one nautical mile in the morning when the accident happened.

"The journey was delayed for about an hour," she added.

Chow said there were no complaints from the passengers, who had their fares refunded.

The ferry company alerted the Marine Department, and Marine Police and will submit a report to the department and conduct its own internal inquiry.

The ferry involved passed an annual check in the middle of last year.

It had been in service since June 2003.

Landlords, kuk, rural groups will cream off ferry subsidies
22 April 2010
South China Morning Post

The spokeswoman said the bureau strived to strike the best balance between the principle of non-intervention in private business and the interests of island residents. "Unlike other commuters, islanders have no other option but ferries, and without assistance, this business is simply financially unviable," she said.

SCMP, April 20

Teacher, teacher, I have my hand up, look at me. I know a way of making these outlying island ferry services financially viable without providing any government assistance at all. What you do is let them put their passenger fares up.

It's a particularly good idea because, if you are right, madam, that, unlike other commuters, these islanders have no option but ferries, then they will just have to pay up or never commute to work in town at all. Thus, the ferry companies won't have to worry that passenger numbers might come down if fares go up. They have those passengers trapped. Great idea, isn't it?

OK, OK, the islanders may whinge about it a little but, frankly, by far the most of those whingers come from Discovery Bay, which is really little more than a colony of the Netherlands these days, and the Dutch are well known as the greatest whingers in Europe, even worse than the Scots that way.

Let me declare myself. Back in the 1980s, when I was at the bottom of the ladder in the stockbroking business and a bear market rendered bonuses an impossible dream, we lived for six years on Cheung Chau. I loved it and would have stayed except that my wife insisted we weren't going to put the kids into fish school.

And while there were also whingers on Cheung Chau, I can't recall many complaints about ferry fares. They were a cost of living there. You paid that cost to get a rock-bottom cost of living on everything else, including the beer on that ferry - the formaldehyde brand but, hey, it was cheap.

I do not believe that things have changed much. Admittedly, income polarity has worsened in Hong Kong since that time, which would tend to make islanders a little poorer relative to town dwellers, while rising oil prices have hit ferries harder than other forms of transport. It may thus be true that some commuters feel the sting more than they did when I lived in Cheung Chau.

But I doubt that the Transport and Housing Bureau's proposal to spend up to HK$120 million on subsidising fares will alleviate matters. The reason for this is that I know island landlords, and they have a very keen appreciation of just how much their tenants can pay.

If government makes the commute to town cheaper by HK$100 a month, then this is the amount by which those landlords will raise their rents. If you don't believe me, just put it to the test. And what the landlords leave on the table, the Heung Yee Kuk and the rural committees will soon find ways to scoop off.

We are looking here at the law of unintended consequences. When you tinker with economic arrangements, you only infrequently get the result you intended to create, and you never get only that result. Island living has its own dynamics. Adding sugar to the island dinner pot will only attract fruit flies.

But even the official tinkering isn't straightforward. The holder of the transport functional constituency seat, Miriam Lau Kin-yee, is unhappy that the government has built no extra retail floor space at ferry piers. She says ferry operators could have boosted their income that way.

What you need to understand about Ms Lau's position is that ferry companies and associations account for 10 of the 178 voters in the transport functional constituency. This is not a huge proportion of the constituency's voters but is hefty enough to stop Ms Lau from defining her public too widely.

Listen, Miriam, if my tax money is to go to building shops at ferry piers, then I want the rental income from those shops (full market rents, please) to go back to the public purse. It's my money and I can think of better uses for it than steering it into the pockets of island dignitaries, roundabout though the route there may be.

The line I like best, however, is that one from the bureau spokeswoman about striving to strike the best balance between the principle of non-intervention in private business and the interests of {hellip} uhhh {hellip} public housing tenants yesterday and flower stall keepers tomorrow {hellip} but today, hmmmm {hellip} let's see {hellip} yes {hellip} island residents, yes, that's it, that's the one today.

Why don't you give up, madam. There is no principle in this town of non-intervention in private business. There may have been one long, long ago, but it's long dead and buried.

Source : http://www.fotop.net/Herman/Herman91

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Tenders being invited for tenancy of Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal
Friday, July 9, 2010
Government Press Release

The Government today (July 9) published in the Government Gazette a tender notice for the tenancy of Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal for operating cross-boundary passenger ferry services.

A Marine Department spokesman said that as the existing tenancy agreement of the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal would end in December 2010, the Government decided to invite tenders for operating the terminal for seven years.

The new tenancy agreement will include the following major elements:

(a) The Government will provide necessary services to support the operation, such as immigration, customs, police, marine control and port health;

(b) The successful tenderer will be responsible for the following:

(i) A monthly rent to the Government giving rise to an annual rental income of not less than $27.9 million;

(ii) Replacement and reinstatement of the non-recurrent items such as systems, equipment and furniture required for the operation of the government departments concerned;

(iii) Utilities costs for the operation of the terminal; and

(iv) Maintenance and general management of the terminal;

(c) The successful tenderer must operate a minimum 14 round trips between Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal and Macau every week and, at his option, services to Mainland cities in the Pearl River Delta;

(d) The successful tenderer must commence the services within three months from the commencement of the tenancy agreement; and

(e) Subject to the availability of space and the Government's prior approval, the successful tenderer may sub-let terminal premises designated by the Government, berthing slots, advertising and shopping space (if any) and baggage-handling services (if any), and may keep the fees from such sub-letting. Revenue arising from duty-free shops, if any, will be shared between the successful tenderer and the Government.

"We intend to sign a tenancy agreement with the successful tenderer before the end of 2010," the spokesman said.

"If all preparatory work is completed smoothly, the terminal under the new tenancy agreement can start operation in early 2011."

The tender documents are available at the counter in Room 2121, Marine Department Headquarters, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Hong Kong. The deadline for submitting the tender is noon on August 20, 2010 (Friday). Enquiries can be made at 2547 4026 or faxed to 2559 4976.

Source : http://www.fotop.net/ghost

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Source : http://www.fotop.net/yyyccc

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Ferry firm set to start Tuen Mun-Macau service
30 July 2010
South China Morning Post

Ferry operator Hong Kong North West Express is poised to launch a service between Tuen Mun and Macau seven years after taking over management of part of the Tuen Mun ferry pier that will operate cross-border trips.

The firm would be the second new operator to enter the Hong Kong-Macau passenger ferry market this year after Macao Dragon started a five-trips-a-day daytime service on July 12 using two 1,200-passenger ferries.

Hong Kong North West Express has already taken delivery of two high-speed catamarans that have a capacity of 300 passengers but is awaiting final approval from the Hong Kong and Macau governments before starting the service.

Damen, which won the vessel order, said the service was due to start by the end of this year.

Fung Kwok-ming, general manager of the Marine Department's services branch, said the ferry company was still waiting for an operating permit from the Macau authorities.

He said the Marine Department would have to "carry out a route assessment from port to port" but it could not be done until the ferry company got its permit.

"Hong Kong North West Express has to satisfy the requirements of the Macau authorities before they can issue permission," he said.

The company would not comment on when the service would start or when it expected approval.

Henk van Herwijnen, regional sales director for Damen, said the Hong Kong operator was finalising crew training and should get its operating permit. He said the ferry manufacturer had trained the crew of the first vessel, Delta 1, and that crew was now training others for the second ferry, Delta 2.

Although these vessels were slower than existing Hong Kong-Macau ferries, travelling at about 33 knots, they only used half as much fuel, van Herwijnen said.

"Although most of these ferries travel at about 40 to 45 knots, they also burn terrific amounts of fuel," van Herwijnen said.

He added that despite their slower speed, the Damen ferries could do the journey between Tuen Mun and Macau "in less than an hour, making the vessel a very economical option".

He said the aluminium hulls and superstructure of the ferries were built at the Afai Shipyard in Panyu in Guangdong, while they were outfitted and finished in Damen in Singapore.

Sea trials had taken place in Singapore and Hong Kong.

The vessels are similar to those already used by New World First Ferry for trips between Hong Kong Island and the outlying islands.

Hong Kong North West Express signed a tenancy agreement with the government to operate the cross-border terminal at the Tuen Mun ferry pier in December 2003 at an annual rental of HK$16.3 million.

But construction work to modify the pier into a cross-border facility did not start until June 2005.

At the time, the company planned to use all three berths to operate one ferry sailing every 30 minutes.

But the company, owned by Ng Man-sun, who has links to the Greek Mythology Casino and Macau gambling junket investor Amax Holdings, failed until recently to win a ferry licence from the Macau government.

By chctomchan from a Hong Kong discussion forum :

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By 井底之蛙 from a Hong Kong photography forum :

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By AnsonCCF from a Hong Kong discussion forum :

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No takers for routes Star Ferry gave up
9 October 2010
South China Morning Post

Half the Star Ferry's celebrated routes will soon disappear, with no firm willing to bid for the rights to run services on two loss-making routes from Hung Hom.

The Star Ferry Company decided not to extend its three-year licence for the two routes, which will expire on March 31. The government invited tenders for the operation of the ferry services, but received a lukewarm response. No operator had tendered by yesterday's deadline.

Star Ferry has run the routes from Hung Hom to Central and Wan Chai for 11 years, but recorded a loss for 10 of them. A spokeswoman said it had long depended on its two other franchised routes, which operated services between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central and from Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai, to compensate.

"But since the relocation of the Central pier, patronage has fallen sharply. The two TST routes can no longer support the Hung Hom routes," she said.

The government is still studying the possibility of repackaging and retendering the routes.

Asked if the operator would consider bidding on the routes again if they were repackaged with a lower service frequency, such as two trips an hour, the spokeswoman said it was too early to comment.

A spokesman for Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry said the Hung Hom routes lacked prospects.

Some 50 staff members serving the two lines face unemployment.

"Their morale is really low now. They really don't know what to do," said Li Yun-keung, the vice-chairman of the Star Ferry Company Limited Workers Union.

By 亞曾 from a Hong Kong photography forum :

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Source : http://www.fotop.net/Rayleung

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A Hong Kong star, fading in a new day
24 November 2010
China Daily - Hong Kong Edition

One of the city's most recognizable icons, the Star Ferry appears in danger of eclipse. The ferry's days appear numbered, thanks to a vision for the future, that sees the waterfront as a place for public recreation. Guo Jiaxue reports.

If you saw the movie the World of Suzie Wong, you may remember the first meeting of the lovers: the beautiful Hong Kong girl stood at the railing of a ferry, savoring the sea breeze, gazing into the distance. She spoke - telling the man at her side her name was Mee Ling and that her father was wealthy.

The film not only brought millions of Western men to the mystery Pearl of the Orient in search of the iconic Asian girl, it also introduced to the world the city's storied Star Ferry. The half-white-half-green old-style boat is still perfectly functional, carrying busy local commuters and tourists from all over the world, who gaze in wonder at the city's legendary skyline. The 100-year-old ferry today is being slowly squeezed out of existence; ever challenged by urban planning and infrastructure development.

"Under the shadow of these, we might lose HK$10 million every year in coming years. Whether Star Ferry can survive will be under a big question mark."

The voice of Johnny Leung, General Manager of the Star Ferry Company, sounded bitter.

The ferry company has just announced that it will not continue operating its two routes from Hung Hom to Central and Wan Chai after the license on the routes expires at the end of next March. The company's losses on the two routes have been averaging HK$2 million annually. Franchise routes between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central and Wan Chai lost HK$4 million in 2009. The losses are expected to grow.

"We are sadly helpless. Things came to be this way, but Star Ferry has done nothing wrong."

Over the past decades, the shore that borders Victoria Harbour has been going through constant change. And the changes have accelerated in recent years. Leung pointed to a map revealing clearly how the new face of the harbour is pushing the Ferry away.

The first blow was dealt by land reclamation. The shoreline has encroached farther and farther into the harbour, swallowing up ferry piers and driving the ferries farther from the business areas.

What happened to the old Central Pier was a clear precedent. In 2006 the old pier moved to its current location. People stepping off the ferry today have to walk through a corridor hundreds of meters long, to reach the heart of Central and its towering office buildings.

"We lost a lot of regular passengers working at the Prince's Building, lawyers, partners ..." Leung said. The move caused a drop off in passenger traffic amounting to 18 percent. It got worse. By the end of 2008 the Star Ferry had lost a quarter of its business. That followed the merger of KCR with MTR and introduction of a series of Interchange Discounts. The decreased passenger flow also drove down rent for shops around the pier - another major source of income for the Star Ferry - by 20 percent.

Star Ferry is bracing to relive that nightmare. "I am afraid that the Wan Chai pier will be the Central pier all over again," Leung said.

After the Central-Wan Chai Bypass is completed in 2013, the current Wan Chai pier will have to move north by 130 meters to the new reclamation area, which appears likely to create a scenario quite similar to the 2006 move of the Central pier.

What's more, the modern view of harbour planning has set about to remove bus terminals from the habourfront.

The Harbour-front Enhancement Committee set up a few Harbour Planning Principles in 2006, emphasizing that the harbourfront should be used "for public enjoyment." The policy continued, "land required for and the impact from infrastructure developments, utility installations ... should be minimized". The principles also state that Victoria Harbour must integrate with the hinterland in a comprehensive manner ... "preferably at grade".

Under those principles, bus terminals with the noise they produce and the exhaust emissions became undesirable.

"The harbourfront site was too valuable to be used for a PTI (Public Transport Interchange)," said Roger Nissim, Best Practice Committee member of Harbour Business Forum, at a meeting to discuss the design for the new Central harbourfront in 2008.

The bus terminal outside the Central Pier has been razed already. The exposed yellow soil around the place stands out. The Transport Department said only part of the bus route will be preserved.

The bus terminal outside the Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier was also proposed to be moved to Tsim Sha Tsui East. A plaza was to be established instead. That plan met with rigorous protests and as a result is still on hold.

The policy changes struck at the Achilles heel of Star Ferry.

"Ferry has a disadvantage. It can not take the initiative to take on passengers like buses," Leung explained. "The ferry can only carry people where the pier is located. So how can a pier have no PTI in front of it?"

More than 3,200 ferry passengers at Tsim Sha Tsui pier need to connect to bus service, he added.

In addition, the city's plan to build an enhanced harbourfront will cut off the Ferry's advertising revenue directly.

Leung, pointing to the two huge lightboxes above the Wan Chai pier, said the advertising billboards like the two would not be permitted at the new pier and in the harbour front area.

"Just the disappearance of these two lightboxes will cause an annual loss of HK$3 million," he said.

Commercial activities will also be strictly limited at the new Wan Chai pier. Only 10 shops are allowed at each pier, limiting Star Ferry's rental income.

"None of these changes is what we wanted," Leung sounds helpless.

"And we can not solve this by ourselves."

The company has sought financial support from the government but failed.

"We noticed that the government offered a subsidy of HK$100 million to the outlying island routes in the middle of the year. It occurred to us that we could also apply for it," Leung recalled. "However the government told us we were 'non-essential services' thus Star Ferry did not qualify for the grant."

"Is Star Ferry really dispensable?" he asked in a rising tone.

He says that the ferry can not be replaced by other modern vessels. "If we use a jet ferry, I'm sure you will feel seasick," he said. The Star Ferry has a moderate speed, stable body, and the unique feature that it doesn't need to take a U-turn when leaving the pier. "Traditional wisdom is irreplaceable."

"Besides, it's not just transport. It represents Hong Kong. The word 'collective memory' actually came from Star Ferry," he added.

Will the Star Ferry really disappear in future? Leung said he doesn't know. But he stressed the demise of the ferry would not be what the people of Hong Kong want.

Nancy Kwan, the actress who starred in the World of Suzie Wong, visited Hong Kong earlier this year. The harbour enhancement and reclamation projects were in full swing. Looking out on the changes, she sighed, "You will no longer need Star Ferry soon."

To clear up quality of air, Hong Kong looks to the sea
BY HILLARY BRENHOUSE
29 November 2010
International Herald Tribune

The most potent proof of Hong Kong’s long and abundant maritime history is, increasingly, the ubiquitous haze that blurs the city’s skyline.

In this, the world’s third-busiest container port, after Singapore and Shanghai, according to the Hong Kong Marine Department, commercial tankers, ferries and fishing boats exhale noxious fumes into air that already, by the World Health Organization’s standards, is healthy only 41 days of the year. Twelve percent of all container traffic passes through the surrounding Pearl River Delta, the southern Chinese export hub where 38 million people live in a swath of land roughly the size of the San Francisco Bay Area.

But initiatives to clear the air by way of the sea are in motion. Where softwood Chinese sailing junks once plied the waters, three new solar hybrid ferries now shuttle Hong Kong Jockey Club members between the Kowloon Peninsula and a public golf course on Kau Sai Chau Island, six kilometers, or about four miles, away. The silent, sleek, blue-and-yellow catamarans, commissioned by the Jockey Club in a bid to encourage the cleanup effort, are designed by the Australian company Solar Sailor. They use photovoltaic panels on the cabin roof to power their electric engines when near the wharf: when farther offshore, they transition to diesel.

A fourth vessel, outfitted with sails covered in solar cells and due to be delivered next month, will run educational programs that focus on renewable energy.

These sails were inspired by the way insects evolved, said Robert Dane, the chief executive of Solar Sailor. Ancient insects ‘‘evolved wings initially as solar collectors and later used them to fly.’’

According to the Jockey Club, the technology has resulted in fuel savings of 50 percent. The club, although it is a nonprofit association, expects to make a profitable return on its investment in just two years if oil prices remain high.

And it is not the only body in the region to have hopped on board. Another of Mr. Dane’s boats, sold to the solar manufacturer Suntech Power Holdings, drifts alongside the site of the 2010 Shanghai Expo on the Huangpu River.

Lately, Mr. Dane has been eyeing Hong Kong’s emblematic Star Ferry fleet — 12 vessels that carry passengers across Victoria Harbor — for conversion to hybrid electricity. The ferries are serviced by the same southern Chinese boatyard that finishes his boats. He is eager to move on to bigger boats and he says he is optimistic — certain, even — that shipping will begin to turn away from fuel oil as renewable alternatives gain speed.

‘‘There’s all that wind and sun and wave energy out there in the ocean,’’ he said. ‘‘Why would you go back to land to get fuel? In the future, when we can store that energy as efficiently as we can a barrel of oil, all ships will be powered by that which is available on the sea.’’

Until then, several of the world’s largest container shipping companies have banded together in a voluntary, unsubsidized effort to curb the toxins that their cargo vessels emit. The initiative is being led by the Danish shipping giant Maersk Line, whose ships, as of September, have switched to low-sulfur fuel from bunker fuel — a viscous waste product of the refining process — while at berth in Hong Kong.

‘‘We still believe that the environment is a coming megatrend,’’ said Tim Smith, chief executive of Maersk’s North Asia operations. ‘‘Increasingly, our customers have sustainability programs of their own and it is likely that they will start using environmental criteria to determine which carriers they use.’’

The company also hopes that the shift will help accelerate emissions regulation in Asia, which is not yet subject to controls that would oblige ships to use relatively cleaner fuel along its coastlines. Such policies are prevalent in Europe and are due to come into effect in Canada and the United States in 2012. Maersk and the Civic Exchange, a public policy institution centered on environmental concerns, are urging other carriers to adopt low-sulfur diesel in Hong Kong by the end of this year under a voluntary industry charter.

‘‘There is a developing regulatory regime and the whole industry is going to have to significantly up its game in all areas of environmental management,’’ Mr. Smith said. ‘‘We think it’s important that we have some sort of road map.’’

The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization decided in 2008 that it would reduce the sulfur content of marine fuels from 4.5 percent to 0.5 percent globally by 2020, significantly capping shipping emissions. ‘‘That’s not a lot of time,’’ Mr. Smith said. ‘‘We don’t want to be in a situation where in 2019 everyone’s rushing to make themselves compliant. We’re quite keen to engage with governments to make sure that we have consistent regulation and that there’s a level playing field for carriers internationally.’’

Hong Kong’s government has recognized the damage caused by marine emissions and commissioned a study from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, which it has cited as a precursor to new legislation. That institution is establishing an inventory of emissions from sea vessels, to be published in 2011. Civic Exchange has begun its own survey, scheduled for release in 2012, of the health effects of pollutants released by vessels in the Pearl River Delta.

A 2009 report led by James J. Corbett, a professor of marine policy at the University of Delaware, puts the number of annual deaths from global shipping emissions at 60,000.

Thus far, 15 shipping companies and two cruise lines have, in principle, signed on to the Fair Winds Charter, which was formally announced last month, agreeing to convert, for the next two years, to fuel with a 0.5 percent sulfur content or lower while docked in Hong Kong. Participating carriers — among them OOCL and APL, which already made the fuel switch in October — hope to have galvanized the Hong Kong and neighboring Guangdong governments into broader action by the end of the two-year period.

‘‘Nowhere else do emissions from ships affect the public health of so many people,’’ said Veronica Booth of Civic Exchange, whose ultimate aim is to establish a low-emission zone in the Pearl River Delta. The region ‘‘has the largest population density, the most vessel traffic in close proximity to that population and the fewest effective controls.’’

Participation rates among these container transportation lines are still unclear. Shipping companies will not necessarily convert all of their ships and they may not use the same fuel. But Maersk estimates that if all the vessels that the carriers operate were to adopt 0.1 percent low-sulfur fuel in Hong Kong, it could result in a reduction of sulfur and particulate matter emissions in excess of 80 percent.

There is a cost: Maersk, which makes about 850 port calls to Hong Kong annually, estimates that switching from relatively low-cost bunker fuel will cost it an additional $1 million a year.

Still, the company is eager to extend the initiative to other congested port cities in which residential neighborhoods are densely clustered along the coastline — and, eventually, to its runs at sea.

‘‘Nowhere else in the world has industry had to lobby to be regulated,’’ Ms. Booth said. ‘‘This is an industry that understands where the global trend is headed.’’

By IvAnEUFS from a Hong Kong discussion forum :

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Lack of bids dooms Hung Hom ferry lines
15 January 2011
South China Morning Post

Two more ferry routes will disappear from Victoria Harbour by April following the Transport Department's decision to close a tender after twice failing to attract any bidders.

Sailing services between Hung Hom and Central, and Hung Hom and Wan Chai will end on March 31 - the day the Star Ferry's licences for the two routes expire.

The department said it would not open another tender as it had already lowered requirements on frequency, service hours and maximum ship load before opening the second one and had still failed to attract any bid - proving the services were not financially viable.

Two other ferry routes are still using the Hung Hom pier.

Star Ferry, which started the two routes in 1999, said last year it would not seek to renew the licences as the services had been run at a deficit of HK$20 million over the past 11 years.

The company's general manager, Johnny Leung Tak-hing, said earlier Star Ferry relied on the profit made by its two most popular routes - Central-Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai-Tsim Sha Tsui - to offset losses.

But the two franchised routes also began to suffer losses in 2009 after the old Star Ferry pier in Central was moved to near the outlying island ferry pier.

The end of the Hung Hom services is expected to affect about 120,000 passengers a month - most of them residents of Whampoa Garden, which will not have a rail service until next year.

Passengers and Kowloon City district councillor Yum Kwok-tung expressed regret that the government had not worked harder to keep the ferry services alive as a comfortable and environmentally friendly means of public transport.

Officials said they would monitor the situation closely and act when the need arose for an improvement in public transport services.

Six outlying island ferry routes and three other inner-harbour routes all received bids by yesterday's deadline.

Estate tries to save Hung Hom ferry services
5 March 2011
South China Morning Post

People living on the Whampoa Garden housing estate have launched a campaign to save ferry services sailing out of Hung Hom, which will stop this month because of declining passenger numbers.

The services to Central and Wan Chai are being axed because the Star Ferry Company's licences will expire on March 31 and no operators expressed interest in running the routes during two rounds of tendering. The Transport Department declined to launch a third round.

On Monday, the management office at Whampoa Garden, an estate of 10,000 households, began a week of gathering signatures for a petition in support of maintaining the two services.

He said the termination of the services would cause inconvenience.

Yuen Chi-hang, 23, also said the closure would be inconvenient for Whampoa Garden residents. "Whampoa Garden is close to the pier, and the ferry services are cheaper and more stable than buses."

A one-way ferry trip costs HK$6.30 for adults while a bus trip through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel is nearly HK$10.

In response to a question from legislator Dr Priscilla Leung Mei-fun during a Legislative Council meeting on Wednesday, Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng rejected the idea of another round of tendering, saying there would not be enough time.

"As no tender submissions were received in the second tender exercise even though the requirements for the service had been relaxed, the Transport Department believes that conducting a third exercise will serve little purpose," she said.

Cheng said she understood residents' concerns but that it was "not easy to retain the two services since they have been making long-term losses".

A Transport Department spokeswoman said it had nothing more to add to Cheng's comments.

Whampoa West district councillor Lau Wai-wing said 2,000 to 3,000 people living in the area would still need the ferry services.

He urged the government to retain the ferry routes as road traffic would be further burdened by work extending the MTR's Kwun Tong Line to Whampoa, which is set to begin this year.

But not everyone wants to keep the ferry services. Hung Hom Bay district councillor Cheung Yan-hong said those living near Hung Hom train station or bus terminals would not be concerned.

Star Ferry Company records show that the Hung Hom-Central route carries about 400 passengers between 8am and 9am on weekdays, and the Wan Chai route about 500. Of the 12 years that the company has operated the routes, it recorded losses in 10.

Estate tries to save Hung Hom ferry services
5 March 2011
South China Morning Post

A one-way ferry trip costs HK$6.30 for adults while a bus trip through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel is nearly HK$10.


Does that mean they are willing to pay $10 for a one-way trip to keep the ferry running? Or are they going to complain the expensive fare?

By nokcheong from a Hong Kong discussion forum (http://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=13843905&extra=page%3D2) :

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Ap Lei Chau No.3 alarm fire roundup
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Government Press Release

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A No.3 alarm fire broke out at two dockyards at 35-37 Ap Lei Chau Praya Road, Ap Lei Chau today (March 12). The fire broke out at 5.33pm and was upgraded to No.3 alarm at 5.42pm. It was largely put out at 8.20pm.

Two two-storey tin-sheeted and wooden structures (about 20m x 40m) were involved. A vessel undergoing repairing work in the dockyard was also involved.

Firemen used eight jets and mobilised four breathing apparatus teams to fight the blaze.

No casualty has been reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

By hifi2001 from a Chinese photography forum (http://www.photofans.cn/forum/showthread.php?forumid=113&threadyear=2009&threadid=95032&action=&word=&searchusername=&page=2) :

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Cessation of "Hung Hom - Central" and "Hung Hom - Wan Chai" ferry routes from April 1
Monday, March 28, 2011
Government Press Release

The Transport Department (TD) today (March 28) announced that as no tender submissions for the "Hung Hom - Central" and "Hung Hom - Wan Chai" ferry routes were received after two tender invitations, these two ferry routes would cease operation after the expiry of their current licences on March 31, 2011.

A TD spokesman said, "Affected passengers may take franchised bus route 115 to travel directly between Hung Hom/Whampoa and Hong Kong Island, or make use of franchised bus routes 8A or 8P to Tsim Sha Tsui (Star Ferry Pier) and interchange ferry routes to Central or Wan Chai. To cater for additional passenger demand, the TD has arranged with the franchised bus company to strengthen the frequency of cross harbour bus route 115. Alternatively, passengers may take green minibus routes 6 and 6X etc. to MTR stations and interchange MTR to Hong Kong Island.

"The TD believes that these public transport services have sufficient capacity to meet additional passenger demand."

Last Day of Hung Hom Star Ferry Service
More : http://www.globalphotos.org/hk-starhunghom.htm

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By livermore from a Hong Kong photography forum :

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LCQ6: Fares of outlying island ferry services
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Government Press Release

Following is a question by the Hon Wong Sing-chi and a reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, in the Legislative Council today (June 1):

In March this year, the Transport Department announced that it had awarded new licences for six major outlying island ferry routes. The new licences have been/will be effective from April 1 and July 1 this year respectively, with an average fare increase rate of about 10%. Regarding the fares and operation of outlying island ferry services, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) as some members of the public have relayed to me that outlying island ferry services are the only means of transport for some of the outlying islands, and the Government must ensure that the fares of ferry services are maintained at a level affordable by residents of the outlying islands, whether the Government will study the imposition of a restriction that the rates of increase proposed by outlying island ferry operators must not exceed the inflation rate; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(b) as the Government has pledged to reduce the holiday fare differential of outlying island ferry services to a maximum of 20% to address the dissatisfaction of residents of the outlying islands with the holiday fare differential, of the holiday fare differentials of the aforesaid six outlying island ferry routes after the new licences come into effect; in case the holiday fare differentials of some of the routes exceed 20%, whether it has assessed if the Government has breached its pledge to residents of the outlying islands; whether the Government will negotiate with the ferry operators regarding the weekday and holiday fare differentials so as to narrow the difference between them; and

(c) as the Government has adopted a series of measures to help improve the financial viability of outlying island ferry services, e.g. providing a subsidy of about 120 million dollars to the aforesaid six outlying island ferry routes through reimbursing the ferry operators the vessel maintenance fee incurred and waiving the annual vessel survey fee and the private mooring fee of the vessels, etc., whether the Government has put in place a mechanism to review the effectiveness of such measures; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; whether it has assessed the impact of such measures on the setting and adjustment of the fares of ferry services by the ferry operators; if it has, of the details?

Reply:

President,

(a) To enhance the long-term financial viability of ferry services, the Government has been providing various measures to enable ferry operators to reduce operating costs and increase non-fare box revenue:

- taking over the responsibility of pier maintenance;
- waiving fuel duty;
- reimbursing pier rentals and exempting vessel licence fees for ferry services under the Elderly Concessionary Fares Scheme;
- allowing ferry operators to sublet ferry pier areas for commercial concession to generate non-fare box revenue to cross-subsidise the ferry operation; and
- streamlining the subletting approval procedures to help expedite generation of non-fare box revenue.

In May 2008, the Government indicated that it would conduct a review on ferry services for outlying islands with a view to enhancing the long-term financial viability of these services and maintaining fare stability. The review was completed in mid-2010 and consultations were conducted with the Legislative Council Panel on Transport, the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Islands District Council, the relevant Rural Committees and members of the public in the course of the review.

The Government's basic principle for ferry services is to maintain the established policy of allowing the private sector to operate these services on commercial principles. Since ferry services are the only external means of transport for some of these outlying islands, the Government proposed in the review to provide the six major outlying islands routes with further helping measures during the three-year new licensing period from 2011 to 2014 in order to ensure continuous provision of these essential services. The six major trunk outlying islands routes include "Central-Cheung Chau", "Peng Chau-Mui Wo-Chi Ma Wan-Cheung Chau" (Inter-islands), "Central-Mui Wo", "Central-Peng Chau", "Central-Yung Shue Wan" and "Central-Sok Kwu Wan" routes. These helping measures include:

- waiving annual vessel survey fee and private mooring fee;
- reimbursing pier cleansing, water and electricity charges;
- reimbursing the balance of revenue forgone due to provision of elderly fare concessions after netting off the amount of pier rental and vessel licence fee; and
- reimbursing the ferry operators of the six major routes the vessel maintenance and repair cost actually incurred in order to reduce the rate of fare increase.

In November 2010, the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved a commitment of about $120 million for the implementation of the above mentioned helping measures.

To select suitable operators to run the six major outlying islands ferry services upon expiry of the licences, the Transport Department (TD), after taking into account the views collected during the public consultations on the review on ferry services for outlying islands, consulted the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Islands District Council and the relevant Rural Committees during September to October 2010 on the proposed arrangement for the tender exercise (including routes packages and service arrangements etc).

After consideration of the views collected, the tender exercise was launched in December 2010 and the tender results were announced on March 25, 2011. Representatives of TD attended the meeting of the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Islands District Council on March 28, 2011 to brief the committee on the results of the tender, as well as the fares and service arrangements of the concerned ferry routes under the new licences.

The Government understands residents' concern on the fares of the outlying island ferry services. While the population of these outlying islands is not expected to increase substantially in the future to help enhance fare box revenue; the recent fuel price is at a high level. The statutory minimum wage which was effective from May 1 this year also has significant impact on the staff costs of ferry operators. These factors have led to a great pressure on fare increases.

After careful examination of the financial information and data submitted by the bidders, the need to ensure efficient and quality ferry services and to reduce the impact of fare increase on daily commuters of the concerned islands, when granting the new licences of the six major routes, TD had made the best endeavour to reach agreement with the bidders to adjust the fare increase substantially downwards by providing a package of helping measures.

Comparing with the existing of increase of monthly tickets of the concerned routes, the rate of increase of monthly ticket was about 7% and the overall average rate of increase was about 10%. In fact, the cumulative inflation for the past three years is around 8%.

In order to alleviate the impact of fare increase on island residents who regularly use these ferry services, the Government has endeavoured to lower the rate of increase for monthly tickets. At present, the rate of increase of monthly ticket is about 7%, which is lower than the average rate of increase.

TD will continue to select suitable operators to run the outlying islands ferry services through public tender in accordance with the relevant legal requirements. We believe that the long-term financial viability of the ferry services can be improved, while keeping fares at an affordable level to the members of the public, through market competition and providing helping measures to the operators. If we set up restrictions on fare in the tender, it may discourage potential and interested ferry operators to make submissions, and may lead to reduction in service level or even the risk of having that no operator willing to operate the ferry services.

(b) In response to the views collected during the consultation period, the Government proposed narrowing the fare differential between holidays and weekdays to a maximum of 20% in the review on ferry services for outlying islands. With a view to evaluating the long-term financial viability of the concerned ferry routes and the impact on the weekday fare, TD required bidders to submit in the tender document proposed fares for holidays and weekdays under various levels of fare differential, including those with fare differential be narrowed to not exceeding 20% and those with the existing fare differential be maintained.

In light of the upsurge of operating costs, it was shown in the tender submissions that if the fare differential between holidays and weekdays were narrowed, the fare increase for weekdays would far exceed the current approved level. To ensure efficient and quality ferry services and in order to alleviate the impact of fare increase on island residents who regularly use these services, we consider it a practical and balanced arrangement to maintain the existing holiday fare differential of about 38% to 48% taking into account the generally higher acceptability of holiday passengers.

The Government is actively considering the re-launch of the "visiting scheme to outlying islands" by providing fare subsidy to encourage institutions such as schools, non-governmental organisations, community and local groups to organise activities to outlying islands to boost the local economy.

(c) In order to monitor the proper spending of public funds, the ferry operators of the six major outlying islands services are required to summit their quarterly management accounts during the new licence period for TD to assess its financial position, and to provide its annual audited financial statements to the Government to certify its actual expenditure on vessel maintenance and repair. The Government will reimburse the ferry operators such costs incurred subject to the cap as approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council. In accordance with the outcome of the review on ferry services for outlying islands, the Government will conduct a mid-term review during the three-year licensing period to ensure that the fare level can be appropriately adjusted when there is a reduction in operating costs.

Ferry fare-hike case now sailing
The Standard
Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Court of First Instance has agreed to hear a legal challenge to fare increases on Cheung Chau ferries.

But hikes go into effect on Friday as Justice Johnson Lam Man-hon did not order an interim injunction.

Lam, who will hear the case on August 26, said he did not make an interim order as New World First Ferry Services, which runs services between Cheung Chau and Central, was not informed about the case and did not have a chance to respond to claims by islander Kenny Kwok Cheuk-kin.

And the fare increase went through correct procedures before being approved, the judge added.

The 72-year-old Kwok, a retired civil servant and now chairman of the Cheung Chau Neighbourhood Association, filed for a judicial review against the commissioner for transport's March 25 approval of the increases.

Kwok argued that the commissioner failed to meet a "reasonable expectation" for the fare difference between public holidays and ordinary days to be reduced from the current 46 percent to no more than 20 percent as pledged.

For that, he cited a paper that went to the Legislative Council's panel on transport from the Transport and Housing Bureau last August, mentioning a narrowing of the fare difference in the next tendering process.

But counsel for the Department of Justice said the condition was in the tender document as one consideration.

From July 1, the adult fare from Monday to Saturday between Central and Cheung Chau is HK$12.60 while on Sundays and public holidays it will be HK$18.40 - 46 percent higher.

Currently, the charge for an adult is HK$11.50 from Monday to Saturday and HK$16.80 on Sundays and public holidays - a difference of 46 percent.

Outside the court, Kwok said: "I feel good as there is a chance that justice can be served. I'm 60 percent confident the review will be successful."

He also said he is optimistic of being granted legal aid.

Transport Department officials, meanwhile, said it would be inappropriate to comment with the case in court.

Kwok was a member of the Democratic Party but quit last year when it did not to take part in the de-facto referendum on universal suffrage. He said yesterday he has applied to rejoin.

In 2008, Kwok sought a judicial review to try to overturn the Civil Service Bureau giving permission for former senior civil servant Leung Chin-man to join New World China Land. He also tried to challenge the chief executive in allowing undersecretaries and political assistants to keep foreign nationalities and to refuse to disclose their salaries.

Those attempts failed, Kwok noted.

The following photos were taken by kennytwy from : http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennytwy/with/5869560913/

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We're in the same boat
The Standard
Thursday, July 21, 2011

Star Ferry yesterday jumped on the profit-warning bandwagon - a day after Kowloon Motor Bus - saying it may lose more than HK$5 million next year if its application for fare hikes from January 1 is not approved.

The company last increased fares early last year and before then in 2009.

Also making a fares pitch were First Bus and Citybus, which warned about fuel costs and said they support a call by KMB for a government-backed fare stabilization fund.

The ferry operator wants to raise weekday adult fares by 12 percent from HK$2.50 to HK$2.80, and weekend and holiday fares by 20 percent from HK$3 to HK$3.60 on its Tsim Sha Tsui to Central and Wan Chai routes. It has also proposed increasing the monthly ticket from HK$125 to HK$140.

A company spokesman said the increases are needed because of high fuel costs and introduction of the minimum wage. The company said it expects to lose HK$1.9 million this year and HK$5.5 million in 2012 if the rises are not approved.

It also wants to join a concession fare reimbursement scheme that applies to outlying island ferries, especially as it offers free passage to the elderly.

In exchange for the reimbursement it "will freeze the weekday fare rise and cap the weekend and holiday increase to 10 percent instead of the proposed 20 percent."

Meanwhile, sister firms First Bus and Citybus said they may also apply to increase fares if fuel prices continue to rise.

"First Bus and Citybus have faced high fuel prices, fierce competi
tion from the railway operator and surging staff wages. If fuel prices remain high, we will be under heavy pressure to raise fares," a spokeswoman for the two bus companies said.

"We believe a stabilization fund can help relieve the pressure on operational costs brought by high fuel prices."

KMB, the SAR's biggest bus operator, on Tuesday said 60 percent of its nearly 400 routes are losing money, and that, for the first time, a loss for the year is now possible.

Legislative Council transport panel chairman Andrew Cheng Kar-foo said it is an "unhealthy" sign for several transport companies to ask for subsidies.

"It is not fair to ask for government help when they run into financial difficulties while sharing their profits among shareholders," Cheng said. In the long term, he said, the government will need to consider taking control of ferry services so as to "retrieve its authority in fare adjustments."

Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong chairman Tam Yiu-chung said a public transport fare stabilization fund is intended "to relieve the public's fare burden."

The DAB earlier suggested the setting up of a fare stabilization fund with HK$30 billion. "It is not a fund that can be used every time a public transport company proposes a fare hike. The government will have to strictly examine the company's accounts before approving the funds. The company should also contribute to the fund part of its excess profit," Tam said.

On the Star Ferry, Tam said the government "should help relieve the burden on the elderly, but should examine carefully the accounts of the ferry company before releasing any public money."

A Transport Department spokeswoman said it has not yet reached a decision on the ferry company's application.

what a dirty place :S

By cyrustang6455 from a Hong Kong discussion forum :

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Shun Tak acquires New World First Ferry
13/08/2011 05:33:00
Macau Daily Times

Shun Tak-China Travel Shipping Investments and New World First Holdings Limited announced that they have entered into a sale and purchase agreement which will see Shun Tak acquire all shares in New World First Ferry (Macau).

New World’s disposal “includes catamarans and concession agreements granted by the Macau SAR Government. The total consideration for this disposal amounts to approximately HKD 350 million,” the company said in a filing to Hong Kong’s stock exchange.

The Maritime Administration of Macau yesterday said in a statement it did not receive the application for the transfer of shares, but stressed that in any case it should not affect “the company’s [New World First Holdings] original responsibilities and obligations”.

The authority said the government will also request that the company protects local employee rights and interests in line with the law when working on the deal.

In addition, the government will ensure the change will not affect the current passenger capacity of Hong Kong-Macau ferry services.

Shun Tak-China Travel Shipping Investments said it will maintain the current service, sailing and staff. The company controlled by businesswoman Pansy Ho Chiu King also said in a statement that ticket prices “will remain unchanged”.

“The acquisition not only enlarges the fleet size, but also increases its market share in the Hong Kong – Macau passenger ferry market significantly.”

Source : http://www.fotop.net/warrenhk

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By wise from a Hong Kong photography forum (http://www.dchome.net/viewthread.php?tid=1075316&extra=page%3D1) :

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Incident in Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter
Friday, October 21, 2011
Government Press Release

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The initial findings of an investigation by the Marine Department into an incident inside the Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter this morning (October 21) involving the high-speed catamaran First Ferry IX have revealed that the ferry strayed outside the navigational fairway into a mooring area.

Initial reports received showed that the First Ferry IX, which has a length of 28.84 metres, was carrying 140 passengers and four crew members and departed from Cheung Chau for Central at 5.10am.

The vessel struck a mooring dolphin inside Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter at 5.15am, causing significant casualties onboard.

In the incident, 76 people were injured and sent to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital, Ruttonjee & Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals and St John Hospital, comprising 49 males and 27 females, aged from 19 to 82.

The ferry sustained significant damage to its starboard bow.

The Marine Department investigation showed that a light beacon nearest to the mooring dolphin was lit and functioning properly in accordance with the nautical chart.

The investigation into the incident will pay special attention to the speed of the First Ferry IX at the time of the collision.

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^^

By Gentle_H!M from a Hong Kong discussion forum :

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LCQ16: Utilisation of boundary control points and the SkyPier
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Government Press Release Excerpt

Following is a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, to a question by the Hon Paul Tse Wai-chun in the Legislative Council today (November 9):

Question:

Regarding the utilisation of the Shenzhen Bay Control Point in Shenzhen Bay Port, other boundary control points and the SkyPier at the Hong Kong International Airport, will the Government inform this Council:

(e) whether it knows the daily number of ferry passengers using the SkyPier at present who are non-Hong Kong permanent residents from the Mainland and the year-on-year increase in the past two years;

(f) whether it has assessed the percentage of visitors whose destinations are the tourist attractions on Lantau Island (Hong Kong Disneyland, Ngong Ping 360 and the AsiaWorld-Expo, etc.) in the number of visitors using the various control points to enter Hong Kong at present; whether it has conducted any study on developing the SkyPier into an immigration control point to provide visitors going to tourist attractions on Lantau Island with a more convenient arrival and departure channel and, at the same time, facilitate ferry passengers from the western region of the Pearl River Delta (Jiangmen and Shekou, etc.) to enter and leave Hong Kong; whether it has assessed if such a development can alleviate the crowded conditions at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and other boundary control points; if it has assessed, of the results; if not, whether such an assessment can be conducted expeditiously; and

(g) of the respective utilisation of other boundary control points in Hong Kong since January this year (including the number of cross-boundary passengers and the average waiting time for visitors who are non-Hong Kong permanent residents and IVS visitors to go through immigration clearance)?

Reply:

President,

Regarding the utilisation of the Shenzhen Bay Control Point, the SkyPier and other control points, my replies to the sub-questions are as follows:

(e) According to the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA), the average daily passenger throughput of the SkyPier is around 6 300, about 35% of which are Mainland visitors. Since its commissioning in January 2010, the new SkyPier has registered a year-on-year increase rate in passenger throughput of about 38% and 35% in 2010 and 2011 (January to September) respectively.

(f) According to the Transport and Housing Bureau, AA had looked into the feasibility of providing customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) facilities at the SkyPier in 2008 and 2009. Upon consideration of relevant factors (including the economic situation, cross-strait direct flights and the impact of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge on the estimated service demand), it was concluded that the provision of the CIQ facilities would not significantly enhance the utilisation of the SkyPier services by transit passengers and hence the proposal was not further pursued. The Government has not maintained any statistics on the breakdowns of visitors travelling to various tourist attractions on Lantau Island against the overall number of visitors to Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will commence operation in 2016. CIQ facilities and public transport interchange facilities will be set up at the Hong Kong Boundary Control Point therein. There will also be various roads connecting traffic to and from the North West New Territories and North Lantau. Hence the facilities will become a strategic multi-modal transportation hub on the west of Hong Kong, facilitating travels between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta. Against this background, the Government and AA presently have no plans to change the existing arrangements at the SkyPier.

(g) Please refer to the Annex (http://gia.info.gov.hk/general/201111/09/P201111090311_0311_86342.pdf) on the number of passengers (including Hong Kong residents) using various boundary control points from January to September 2011.

In 2011, the passenger flow has generally been smooth at various boundary control points. 98.6% of the visitors using the land boundary control points could have their clearance completed within 30 minutes (thus meeting the ImmD's performance pledge, i.e. 95% of the visitors can have their clearance completed within 30 minutes), while the figure for sea boundary control points stands at 98.8%. As for the air control point, 98.2% of the visitors could have their clearance completed within 15 minutes (ImmD pledges to have 95% of the visitors completing their clearance within 15 minutes). The ImmD does not have a breakdown in respect of IVS visitors.

Foundering ferry firm seeks more hikes
The Standard
Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Star Ferry wants to raise fares by up to 60 HK cents as it faces a loss of HK$3 million from the minimum wage.

The firm proposed two price rise options for its Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui to Central routes. The present adult fare for both routes is HK$2.50 on weekdays and HK$3 on weekends and public holidays.

In the first plan, fares will rise by 20 to 30 HK cents on weekdays and 50 to 60 cents on weekends and holidays.

The increase is smaller in the second proposal: 30 HK cents on weekends and holidays - on condition the government pays for the loss incurred by the concessionary elderly fare, from which Star Ferry loses HK$5 million a year.

It raised fares by an average 8.5 percent in 2009 and 13.3 percent last year.

General manager Johnny Leung Tak- hing told yesterday's Legislative Council transport panel meeting that the firm earlier estimated a profit of HK$5 million after the previous fare rise.

But in an updated estimate in October, it said it would incur a loss of up to HK$3 million because of the minimum wage implemented in May.

Leung also said there has been 25 percent fewer passengers since the KCRC and MTR Corp merged, and the pier was relocated in Central.

Rebecca Pun Ting-ting, deputy secretary for transport and housing (transport), said the government is considering the operator's proposals to raise revenues, such as renting out its premises.

Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong lawmaker Gary Chan Hak-kan criticized the company for having raised its fares twice but still failing to solve its shortfall.

Star Ferry had a staff of 265 and a fleet of eight ferries as of October. Last year, 37,500 people took the Tsim Sha Tsui to Central route daily, while 19,800 took the Wan Chai crossing.

The two routes combined only account for 0.5 percent of the territory's public transportation load.

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