The ground breaking ceremony was officiated by The Honourable Lau Wong-fat, GBS, JP, Chairman of Heung Yee Kuk.

The Tuen Mun Cross-boundary Ferry Terminal is the only private funded and operated service in the SAR, and the first cross-border ferry operation in Northwestern New Territories. In the first phase HKNWE plans to introduce a new route from Tuen Mun to Macau, and will study the feasibility of operating other cross-boundary routes.

Total investments for the project, which include fees paid to the HKSAR Government, conversion of the Tuen Mun terminal, construction of Macau terminal facilities and purchase of six latest design vessels for the Tuen Mun-Macau route, will amount to about HK$1 billion. Future revenues will be generated from the ferry service, the rental of retail spaces inside the terminals in Hong Kong and Macau, and the collection of berthing and embarkation fees.

With a design capacity of handling 800 passengers per hour, the Tuen Mun Cross-boundary Ferry Terminal has a projected traffic flow of about 10,000 passengers per day immediately after the commencement of the service in early 2006.

Travel time between Tuen Mun and Macau is expected to be 45 minutes to one hour, with a view to reducing to 30 minutes upon smooth operation. The terminal is preliminarily scheduled to operate 16 hours a day from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm with a frequency of two trips per hour, but HKNWE will closely monitor passenger demand for any need to increase the frequency and operating hours in future.

Mr Michael Chan King-ming, Director of HKNWE said at the ground breaking ceremony: "The growing traffic between Hong Kong and Macau validates the need for a third cross-boundary ferry service in the SAR and to ensure the smooth operation of the new terminal, we have commissioned a feasibility study on the interface of road transportation with the pier, as well as an impact assessment of traffic, safety and environment on the public upon operation of the terminal."

The studies point to the need and feasible ways to improve the foot path access to the Tuen Mun Ferry Pier. "We will bring our proposal to the Transport Department and look forward to arriving at a mutually agreed scheme to enhance the overall road access to the Tuen Mun Ferry Pier for the safety and convenience of the public," said Mr Chan.

About Hong Kong North West Express Ltd
Hong Kong North West Express Ltd ("HKNWE") holds the tenancy agreement granted by the HKSAR Government to modify and use the Tuen Mun Ferry Pier to operate cross-boundary ferry services. HKNWE is a Hong Kong-based private company owned by Mr Ng Man Sun.

Issued by :
Hong Kong North West Express Ltd