The port of Hong Kong handled 20.45mn TEUs in 2003, a rise of 6.8% over the previous year, making it again the busiest port in the world.

The Hong Kong Government provides the back-up land, navigation channels, infrastructure and utilities for the port at Kwai Chung, but the eight container terminals there are owned and managed by private companies. The port has a combined capacity of 11.5mn TEU, managed by four terminal operators. Operational efficiencies have enabled the terminals to handle a higher capacity to cope with the growth of cargo throughput. There are also over 20 large and small midstream operators and numerous companies operating in the river trade.

Container Terminal 9 on Tsing Yi Island opposite Kwai Chung will be the last terminal in the Kwai Chung port area as there is no more room for expansion. CT9 will add six berths with a total quay length of over 1,900 metres and a terminal area of 68 hectares. The total area of the CT9 project will be 150 hectares, the remainder to be used for port back up, logistics and other adjacent port facilities. It will have its own bridge connection to the north of Tsing Yi and will have a second bridge connection to CT8 in the south. The project also includes dredging of the entire Kwai Chung port to 15.5 metres to accommodate the largest container vessels on the drawing board.

The opening ceremony of the first berth at Container Terminal 9, operated by Hongkong International Terminals (HIT), was held on 22 July 2003, with Hong Kong's Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Stephen Ip, officiating. Mr Ip noted that CT9 is the largest container terminal ever constructed in Hong Kong and upon full commissioning in 2005, the six-berth CT9 will add 2.6mn TEUs to the Hong Kong port's total handling capacity. Meanwhile, the last of the four berths operated by Modern Terminals at CT 9 was completed in August 2004, three months ahead of schedule.

A third CT9 developer, Asia Container Terminal, is a joint venture among Sea-Land Orient Terminals Ltd of CSX World Terminals of the US with 10%, NWS Holdings Ltd. with 33%; and Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. and Hong Kong Land Infrastructure Ltd. with 28.5% each. ACT swapped its two berths at CT9 for two of Modern Terminals' berths at CT8 West Kwai Chung. HIT will get the first and sixth berths at CT9 and MTL gets berths two to five.

There are some 15 large and small midstream operators and companies operating in the river trade. On the development of port facilities, the first-purpose built River Trade Terminal (RTT) in Tuen Mun was completed at the end of 1999. Designed as a consolidation point for containers and bulk cargoes shipped between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta ports, it provides a cheaper and environmentally friendly alternative to road transport.

The Hong Kong Port Development Council (PDC) (www.pdc.gov.hk) was set up in June 2003 to replace the Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board. The PDC is an industry-specific body tasked with enhancing the competitiveness and attractiveness of the port of Hong Kong. Chaired by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the PDC is a high-level advisory body serving as a forum for key players from the private sector and Government to discuss and co-ordinate matters in developing and promoting the port industry. It advises the Government on the port development strategy and port facilities planning to meet future demands. It also assists the Government in the promotion of Hong Kong as a regional hub port and a leading container port in the world. There are 17 members on the PDC.