Construction of Marine Works
We design and construct various types of marine works, including public piers, waterfront promenades and projects under the Pier Improvement Programme.
We also carry out improvement works to some existing public piers and landing facilities, such as Tap Mun Pier and Sharp Island Pier. In the past few years, we completed the construction or reconstruction of the following piers:
- New Star Ferry Piers
- Central Public Piers No. 9 and No. 10
- New Blake Pier at Stanley
- Trio Beach Public Pier
- Sai Kung Public Pier
- Sharp Island Pier
- Pak Kok Pier on Lamma Island
- Landing Facility at Tai Shue Wan
- Kau Sai Village Pier
- Lai Chi Chong Pier
- Leung Shuen Wan Pier
- Sham Chung Pier
- Yi O Pier
- Ma Wan Chung Pier
- Sam Mun Tsai Village Pier
Other projects completed in the past few years include the construction of a riverwall at Yat Chung in Tai O, the seawall upgrading works for the Ma On Shan Promenade and the widening of Tung Wan Tau Road along Silver Mine Bay Beach in Mui Wo.
Climate Change and Its Implications on Coastal Structures
Under the influence of climate change, it is envisaged that the frequency of occurrence of extreme sea level events and coastal flooding may increase. The wave height and wave loading experienced by coastal infrastructure may become more severe.
To understand the potential implications of climate change on coastal structures in Hong Kong and ascertain necessary updating of the current design standards, we have completed a study on Review of Studies on Climate Change and its Implications on the Design of Coastal Structures in June 2013, and subsequent updating and review based on the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published in September 2013. Accordingly, we have updated the design standards in relation to the prediction on sea level rise and increase in wind speed in the Port Works Design Manual.
In respect of climate change adaptation and resilience, we commissioned a consultancy study in April 2017 to holistically examine the scope of enhancement works necessary for strengthening the resilience of existing critical infrastructures under the effects of climate change and extreme weather. Upon completion, further detailed studies will be conducted to formulate appropriate and detailed enhancement works.
Rise in sea level due to climate change in addition to cyclone storm surge may cause flooding in the coastal area
Advisory Services
We provide technical advice related to marine works including the examination of public and private development submissions and land use proposals which may affect marine facilities.
Maintenance of Marine Facilities
We maintain 110 beacons, over 130 km of seawalls and breakwaters, and over 320 piers and landings facilities (including public piers, as well as franchised and licensed ferry piers), etc.
We carry out routine inspections of marine facilities to ensure that they are safe for public use.
If the facilities are found in need of repair, we will arrange maintenance works, including concrete repair, fender repair and upgrading, and protective coating works to the marine facilities. To minimise disruption to ferry services and inconvenience to the public, we provide temporary berths or carry out the maintenance works after peak hours to maintain their operation.
Upgrading of hardwood timber fenders to plastic or rubber fenders for marine facilities is in progress. This initiative not only enhances the durability of the fenders, but is also more environmentally friendly.
The Port Maintenance Information System (PMIS) has been implemented to cope with the growing demand for storage and prompt retrieval of information on the increasing number of marine structures we maintained.
The PMIS is a computerised database with all the essential history and records of individual marine structures. It enables us to respond to enquiries quickly and facilitates our planning, prioritisation and scheduling of maintenance works. The inspection and maintenance process is also streamlined by the use of equipment compatible with the PMIS, which allows our staff to efficiently carry out regular inspections and immediately prepare works orders for the necessary maintenance works in the field.
Maintenance Dredging
Maintenance Dredging
We carry out regular maintenance dredging of fairways, anchorage areas, typhoon shelters and major river outlets to ensure navigation safety. Major maintenance dredging works have been carried out in Southern Fairway, Pan Shan Shek Anchorage, Western Dangerous Goods Anchorage, Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter, Shing Mun River and Tuen Mun River in recent years.
During our dredging works, we work closely with the Marine Department and the Environmental Protection Department to mitigate the marine traffic and environmental impacts. The dredged material will be disposed of at approved disposal sites for open sea disposal or confined marine disposal according to its contamination level. The annual expenditure for maintenance of marine facilities and dredging is about $80 million.