Issue #154, 8 April 2005
West Kowloon cruise terminal proposal rejected
The West Kowloon Cultural District site is not suitable for a cruise terminal, Hong Kong's Secretary for Economic Development & Labour, Stephen Ip, said in an announcement on April 06th, noting that there were technical constraints to the proposal.
Without substantial dredging, water depth in the Yau Ma Tei Fairway and the berthing area is insufficient for the manoeuvring and berthing of cruise ships.
The proposal would also affect vessels operating to and from a number of nearby marine facilities, including the China Ferry Terminal, Yau Ma Tei Anchorage and mooring buoys.
The vehicular transport system and ancillary facilities in West Kowloon would not be able to support the development of a cruise terminal in addition to the site's envisaged development.
According to a Cruise Market Study for Hong Kong commissioned by the Tourism Board in 2002, and the latest consultancy study on market demand for cruise terminal facilities by the Tourism Commission, Hong Kong will require anadditional berth to meet market needs in the medium term (2009-2015), and one to two additional berths in the long term.
Mr Ip said the Government intends to develop cruise terminal facilities at Kai Tak, and therefore incorporated such development in the Approved Kai Tak (South) Outline Zoning Plan.
"In view of the Court of Final Appeal's judgment on reclamation within the harbour, the Planning Department is now reviewing the development plans for the Kai Tak area. It is expected that the entire planning review process and the statutory procedures will be completed in 2008," he said.
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