About the Industry

ABOUT THE INDUSTRY

Hong Kong's maritime tradition began in the mid 19th century with western sailboats, steamships and Chinese junks. In 1966, a report on containerization ushered in major changes, and Kwai Chung was suggested as the location for Hong Kong's first purpose-built container terminal. Construction on the first three terminals began in 1970; while in 1974, work on Terminal 4 commenced on behalf of Hongkong International Terminals Limited (HIT).

Containerisation cut vessel turnaround times dramatically, and the new container yards developed new systems for loading, disembarking and transporting containers. Through the innovative use of systems and technology, the operators at the Kwai Chung container terminal led the world in space usage and productivity.

Hongkong International Terminals (Night view)

Thanks to China's increasingly open-door economic policies, the Port of Hong Kong rode the wave of containerisation and economic growth. By 1987, Hong Kong was number one in the world container league.

The 1990s saw continued growth and also the establishment of a unique kind of container handling mode in Hong Kong known as midstream operations. Midstream operations contribute to the service flexibility of the Port of Hong Kong by offering smaller container ships the ability to lie at secure buoys in the harbour and from there be unloaded by barge.

In 1996, construction started on the River Trade Terminal; while in 2000, construction of Terminal 9 commenced at Tsing Yi. The year 2000 was another banner year with double-digit growth in port throughput. Today, with over 80 international shipping lines providing 460 weekly container services to more than 170 ports worldwide, Hong Kong dwarfs its rivals.

New forces are now at work in Hong Kong. The integration of Kwai Chung into the network of South China ports and the expansion of midstream and river trade operations supported by sophisticated and electronically-delivered logistics services continue to make Hong Kong a sea-trade logistics hub.

The commitment of Government and private industry to the ongoing development of the port and logistics services sector will ensure that Hong Kong remains a pivotal link in regional commerce for years to come.

FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT

VESSELS

CONTAINERS

EQUIPMENT

Non-Self Sustained Cellular (NSSC)
Non-Self Sustained Cellular vessels are designed specifically and exclusively for carrying containers. Their characteristic feature is that all the holds contain special container-securing frameworks called cell guides; no lifting cranes are equipped on board the vessel.

Self Sustained Cellar (SSC)
Self Sustained Cellular vessels are equipped with lifting cranes, and are designed mainly to handle cargo with their own gear. They are ideally sold to smaller ports that lack cranes. The cell guides are contained in the vessels' holds.

Self Sustained Non-Cellular (SSNC)
Self Sustained Non-Cellular or bulk/container vessels are dry-bulk carriers which carry containers either just on deck or also in their large holds, which are not divided by decks.

Car Carrier / RoRo Ships
Car Carrier / RoRo Ships are designed for carrying passenger cars, commercial vehicles, rolling stocks, construction and agricultural equipment.

Lighter / Barge
Barge carriers are specialized for carrying particular types of barges, but they can also carry containers in various ways: stacked on deck, stowed in the barges, stacked on top of barges, or in cellular holds.

CONTAINERS SIZE AND CONSTRUCTION

Containers vary in size (see table) and construction. They can be made of steel, aluminium, or a combination of Glass-Fibre-Reinforced Plastic resin (GRP or FRP) and plywood.

	20'	40'	45'	48'
Full Height (8'6)	*	*	*	*
High Cube (9'6)		*	*	*
Half Height (4'3)	*	*

TYPE OF CONTAINERS

General Purpose Containers
General purpose containers are completely enclosed and weatherproof, with a rigid roof, floor, side walls, and end walls. At least one end wall has doors, and there may also be additional door openings at one or both sides, or at the front end.

Specific Purpose Containers

• Open-top Containers

• Platform Based Containers

• Platform Containers

Specific Cargo Containers

• Tank Containers

• Refrigerated Containers

OPERATIONAL SPECIFICATION

• Measurement of Containers

• Maximum Gross Mass

• Tare Mass

• Cubic Capacity

• Payload

• ISO System Standard

• CSC Regulations

• Warning Symbols

• Materials - Alumium

• Materials - Steel

OTHER EQUIPMENTS

• Spreaders

• Automatic Guided Vehicles

• Straddle Carriers

• Tractors

• Reach Stacker

• Scaffold Platform

• Chassis

Non-Self Sustained Cellular (NSSC)

Self Sustained Cellar (SSC)

Self Sustained Non-Cellular (SSNC)

Car Carrier / RoRo Ships

Lighter / Barge