Hong Kong to expand air cargo operations

The Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, said today (September 18) Hong Kong was determined to expand air cargo operations because of the dynamics of the industry.

Last year Hong Kong International Airport handled exports worth some US$47 billion. This was only 1.5% of the total volume of Hong Kong's exports, but almost 25% of their total value.

Mr Ip, who was addressing a luncheon for delegates to the International Air Cargo Forum and Exposition, said SuperTerminal 1 at Hong Kong International Airport was the world's largest stand-alone air cargo facility with a current handling capacity of three million tonnes per annum.

"In the 12 months to August 2002, the terminal handled a record 2.3 million tonnes of cargo...and when fully developed will have the capacity to handle nine million tonnes a year," he said.

"A visit to this state-of-the-art facility will be a truly memorable experience - you will be amazed by the computer-controlled stackers at work and the computer system that keeps track of 3,500 containers at any one time."

Mr Ip said Hong Kong's modern terminal facilities were backed up by a comprehensive international aviation network, a sound regulatory system, and efficient and reliable services.

The international airport operates 24 hours a day with nearly 70 international airlines providing 3,900 scheduled flights every week to over 130 destinations around the world, including connections to 40 Mainland cities.

"Hong Kong Customs operates what I believe is one of the most efficient and professional clearance regimes in the world," Mr Ip said.

"The Air Cargo Clearance System handles large volumes of cargo through a direct electronic interface between Customs and cargo operators for manifests and clearance instructions.

"The system is being upgraded to further shorten clearance times and to cope with expected increases in demand caused mainly by hub operations and inter-modal transshipment activities."

Mr Ip said that in partnership with the private sector, Customs was also developing other measures to facilitate inter-modal cargo transhipments via Hong Kong, including a one-stop clearance system to avoid repeated Customs checks during import and export at different control points.

The Hong Kong Airport Authority was also devoting considerable time and effort to enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness as an air cargo hub.

"The Authority has increased the number of cargo stands and will continue to provide more over the next five years to keep pace with growing demand. It also plans to develop a dedicated express cargo terminal...while a logistics centre for handling high value-added air cargo is expected to open in the first quarter of 2003," he said.

Mr Ip said that as about 70% of all import and export cargo handled at HKIA came from, or was destined for the Pearl River Delta (PRD), the Airport Authority was actively seeking to extend the airport's cargo catchment area by improving connectivity and enhancing co-operation with other airports in the region.

He said the establishment of the 'A5 Forum', which brings together the five major airports in the PRD - Hong Kong, Macau, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai - would help develop the complementary strengths of the airports in providing services which connect China with the rest of the world.

"With our well-established international aviation network, we see a special role for Hong Kong in the A5 Forum and will continue to play a constructive role in fostering co-operation among airports in the PRD," Mr Ip said.

Ends/Wednesday, 18 September, 2002