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COMMUNICATION IS OUR CORNERSTONE
CT9 Opening Ceremony - Ready for the Future
Article Date: 22/07/2003

Distinguished guests and HIT executives toast the opening of Hong Kong's newest container handling facilities
[Hong Kong - 22 July 2003] Hongkong International Terminals Limited (HIT) is pleased to announce the official launch of Container Terminal Nine (CT9), Hong Kong's newest container handling facility, located on the southeastern shoreline of Tsing Yi.

HIT has been working around the clock preparing the first berth of CT9 for operations, which began earlier this month. Once completed in 2005, CT9 North will provide HIT with two berths with a total quay length of 700 metres. The alongside depth of 15.5 metres is designed to accommodate the next generation of container vessels.

To meet the future needs of its shipping line customers, HIT has installed the latest in container handling equipment. With five quay cranes already in place, HIT will operate a total of nine quay cranes at CT9 North. HIT will also deploy 32 Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes in the CT9 terminal yard to support the quayside
vessel operations.


An energetic lion dance was one of the many highlights of the opening ceremony for Container Terminal Nine
Guest of honour, Stephen Ip, Secretary for Economic Development and Labour commented, "The opening of CT9 marks an important milestone in the development of our container port. With this new berth coming into operation, the container throughput of Hong Kong for this year is expected to exceed 20 million TEU."

Mr. Ip also noted the importance of the Shenzhen Western Corridor and a mirror bridge at Lok Ma Chau. "These infrastructure developments will create new conduits and improve the existing crossings to facilitate movement of cargoes to the container port, further strengthening Hong Kong's status as a leading transport and logistics hub."

Commenting on the complementary roles of government and business in the continuing development of Hong Kong's container terminals, John Meredith, Managing Director of Hutchison Port Holdings Limited and Deputy Chairman & Chief Executive of HIT, said: "This is the sum of a winning formula – a successful combination of government and business co-operation. The government has permitted the forces of a free market to develop Kwai Chung into a prosperous port."

"For over thirty years, Hong Kong has successfully responded to the demands of an ever-changing market. Container Terminal Nine is no exception," added Meredith.

CT9 consists of six berths, co-developed by Hongkong International Terminals Limited (HIT), Modern Terminals Limited (MTL) and Asia Container Terminals Limited (ACT). Once completed in early 2005, the terminal will consolidate Hong Kong's role as the world's premier international shipping centre.