Three pieces of land in Tsing Yi South, Tuen Mun Area 49 and a plot near Tai Po Industrial Estate have been identified for use by the logistics industry through short-term tenancy, Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Stephen Ip says.

He told lawmakers today that tenancy conditions will be finalised in the next few months so the sites can be put out for open tender. The Logistics and Port Development Councils have supported the proposed use of the sites.

Mr Ip said the Tsing Yi South site has a seafront for marine access, making it useful for sea-land intermodal cargo operations. Conditions will be included in the tenancy to ensure no adverse impact to existing marine and land traffic. The move will not affect the development of Container Terminal 10.

According to the Study on Hong Kong Port-Master Plan 2020 completed at the end of 2004, Northwest Lantau and Southwest Tsing Yi are two possible locations for the terminal.

An ecology study has been commissioned on the Northwest Lantau site to assess its suitability for constructing the terminal, while the Port Cargo Forecasts will be updated to work out the optimal timing for container terminal development. Port expansion options will be reviewed when more data is available.