The Government is determined to enhance Hong Kong Port's competitiveness and has been working on initiatives to address road haulage costs and terminal handling charges.

This was the message from the Economic Development & Labour Bureau which responded to the Better Hong Kong Foundation's study report on trucking costs today.

It said the study confirms the Government's finding that road haulage cost is the principal competitive weakness of the port service offer, followed by terminal handling charges.

The Government will continue to act as a facilitator in dialogue between the shippers and the shipping lines to enhance the transparency of terminal handling charges.

Communications with Mainland underway

It is also exploring the possibility of reducing various fees and relaxing some requirements imposed on Hong Kong trucks with Mainland authorities to enhance the port's competitiveness.

The Government accords priority to improving the handling capacity of cross boundary facilities. Apart from maintaining the efficiency of customs clearance on both sides of the boundary, major infrastructure projects are underway to ease congestion at the control points.

An additional bridge linking Lok Ma Chau and Huanggang is under construction. When completed by year's end, it will segregate freight and passenger traffic and double the handling capacity of the boundary bridge.

Infrastructure projects to ease congestion

Completion of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor in 2006 will provide a fourth road boundary crossing. With an eventual capacity of more than 80,000 vehicles daily and the co-location of immigration and customs facilities, the corridor is expected to make marked improvements to cross-boundary freight movement.

Regarding the recommendation of relaxing driving license requirements for container trucks, the Transport Department will review the present requirements.

The bureau will take into account the findings and recommendations of the foundation's study report and will continue to work with the industry to enhance the port's competitiveness.