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Hong Kong bridge air draft restriction risks port losing millions
FAILURE to resolve the height restriction on the Tsing Ma Bridge, which spans the Ma Wan Channel, could potentially cause the port of Hong Kong to lose millions of dollars in lost business.
A report commissioned by the Hong Kong Liner Shipping Association and carried out by consultancy firm BMT Asia-Pacific found that the bridge's height is actually 8.1 metres higher than the official height of 62.1 metres.
With a nine metre safety margin, the Marine Department has set the maximum air draft for the bridge at 53 metres. But the height restriction is now proving to be a hindrance as the largest vessels that shipping lines want to deploy on services regularly calling at Hong Kong port typically have an air draft of 58.2 metres.
The BMT Asia-Pacific report estimated that Hong Kong port will lose 10 per cent of throughput this year if the issue is not resolved.
Furthermore, the report now shows the bridge's height to be overstated. If the re-measured height of the bridge really is found to be 70.2 metres as stated, then even with the existing nine-metre safety margin, the 18,000-TEU ships that the carriers are deploying on their Asia-Europe loops will be able to pass under the bridge.
The Marine Department, however, claims it is the responsibility of the Highways Department to re-measure the bridge and will not re-survey it, the first step in potentially making any changes to the air draft restrictions on the charts and port traffic system which they have control over.
A report commissioned by the Hong Kong Liner Shipping Association and carried out by consultancy firm BMT Asia-Pacific found that the bridge's height is actually 8.1 metres higher than the official height of 62.1 metres.
With a nine metre safety margin, the Marine Department has set the maximum air draft for the bridge at 53 metres. But the height restriction is now proving to be a hindrance as the largest vessels that shipping lines want to deploy on services regularly calling at Hong Kong port typically have an air draft of 58.2 metres.
The BMT Asia-Pacific report estimated that Hong Kong port will lose 10 per cent of throughput this year if the issue is not resolved.
Furthermore, the report now shows the bridge's height to be overstated. If the re-measured height of the bridge really is found to be 70.2 metres as stated, then even with the existing nine-metre safety margin, the 18,000-TEU ships that the carriers are deploying on their Asia-Europe loops will be able to pass under the bridge.
The Marine Department, however, claims it is the responsibility of the Highways Department to re-measure the bridge and will not re-survey it, the first step in potentially making any changes to the air draft restrictions on the charts and port traffic system which they have control over.
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