Container terminal operator Modern Terminals today (Tuesday) hosted a quayside ceremony at Kwai Chung to celebrate the milestone of the 50 millionth TEU passing through its facilities in the 33rd year since it opened Hong Kong’s first-ever purpose-built container terminal in 1972.

The Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr. Stephen Ip, G.B.S., JP, was the officiating guest of honour and keynote speaker at the event. Around 100 guests representing the company’s major customers and business associates, as well as Government officials and members of the media also attended.

In his speech, Mr. Ip commented: “Way back in 1972, Modern Terminals invested and operated the first purpose-built container terminal in Hong Kong. Since then, Modern Terminals has been playing an important role in the development of the Hong Kong port. I understand that Modern Terminals is investing over HK$1 billion on upgrading its terminal facilities, which will further increase its handling capacity.”

Mr. Erik Bøgh Christensen, Modern Terminals’ Managing Director told the gathering that the company was very proud to welcome its 50 millionth container at its terminal facilities in Hong Kong. “This milestone event takes place at a significant time in our company's history. As an integral part of our commitment to continue to grow with our customers, we have recently brought all our 4 new Berths at Container Terminal 9 (South) into full operation.

“In addition, we have launched a project to upgrade every aspect of our facilities at Container Terminals 1, 2 and 5 (CT125). The implementation of this project will take around 18 months and involve a total investment of more than HK$1 billion. Our objective is to boost our total throughput capacity by up to 25 per cent, in order to meet current and future customer requirements. The project will also support the recommendation of the Government-commissioned Hong Kong Port Master Plan 2020, which is to improve existing operations at Kwai Chung Port before constructing additional terminals. Through the industry combined efforts, the total throughput capacity of Kwai Chung container port is set to rise to 24 million TEUs a year,” he said.

Modern Terminals will continue to develop and provide more value-added customer services to improve the flow of cargo between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta – such as the Inland Gate network of dedicated feeder services and the company’s advocacy of more efficient cross-boundary trucking arrangements. The company is also actively expanding its operations in Mainland China.

In addition, Modern Terminals is proactively contributing to the enhancement of security standards in the global container-transportation industry. In this respect, the company is collaborating with other Kwai Chung terminal operators in embarking on a high-technology pilot project for integrated container inspection, screening every container that arrives at its entry gate and quayside barge facility.

“As Modern Terminals starts handling the next 50 million containers, its goal will remain the same: to grow with our customers, offering industry-best services, and to be their preferred partner,” he concluded.

Photo Caption (from left)

Mr. Sean Kelly, Deputy Managing Director of Modern Terminals
Ms. Sandra Lee, Permanent Secretary for Economic Development
Mr. Erik Bøgh Christensen, Managing Director of Modern Terminals
Mr. Stephen Ip, Secretary for Economic Development and Labour
Mr. Gonzaga Li, Senior Deputy Chairman of The Wharf (Holdings) Ltd.
Ms. Alice Lau, Acting Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Economic Development)

- End -

About Modern Terminals Limited

Modern Terminals has been continuously aiming for service excellence ever since it opened Hong Kong's first purpose-built container terminal in September 1972. In 2000, it established ModernPorts, Hong Kong's first one-stop e-business portal providing a wide range of port-related services for the shipping community. In February 2003, it jointly established OnePort Limited with other terminal operators to improve the efficiency of business processes in the Hong Kong Port through an open, secure and neutral platform for exchanging electronic information. In 2002, Modern Terminals launched the PRD Inland Gate, a unique network of dedicated daily feeder services that provide a faster, more efficient, cost-effective and reliable means of moving containers between Hong Kong Container Port and major manufacturing centres in the Pearl River Delta. Apart from optimizing its core business in Hong Kong Port, Modern Terminals has also been actively expanding into China in recent years. For more information, please visit www.ModernTerminals.com.

Issued by Modern Terminals Limited

For further information, please contact:
Joel Cheung, Corporate Affairs Manager
Tel: +852 2115 3640
Email: cad@ModernTerminals.com