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The Government and Hong Kong North West Express Limited (HKNWE) today (December 24) signed a new tenancy agreement relating to HKNWE's occupation and use of the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal for operating cross-boundary passenger ferry services.
"A related open tender exercise was conducted in July and only one tender, submitted by HKNWE, was received by the submission deadline of August 20, 2010," a Marine Department spokesman said.
The spokesman said that as HKNWE had complied with all the tender requirements, including a written document issued by the Macau Maritime Administration which confirmed that HKNWE had complied with the basic requirements in providing cross-boundary passenger ferry services in Macau, the Government decided to award the tender to the company. The new tenancy will be for seven years, commencing on January 17, 2011.
The Macau Maritime Administration is now inviting applications for operating rights and route permits through an open exercise, and HKNWE is eligible to apply for such rights and permits. From the experience of the previous open exercise, the result of the exercise is expected to be available around one month from the application closing date.
Key elements of the new tenancy agreement are as follows:
(a) The Government will provide necessary services to support the operation, such as immigration, customs, police, marine control and port health.
(b) HKNWE will be responsible for the following:
(i) a monthly rent of $2.325 million to the Government;
(ii) replacement and reinstatement of the non-recurrent items such as systems, equipment and furniture required for the operation of the government departments concerned;
(iii) utilities costs for the operation of the terminal; and
(iv) maintenance and general management of terminal facilities.
(c) HKNWE will operate a minimum of 14 round trips between the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal and Macao every week, and has the option to roll out services to Mainland cities in the Pearl River Delta.
(d) HKNWE must commence the ferry services between the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal and Macau within three months from the commencement of the new tenancy agreement.
(e) Subject to the availability of space and the Government's prior approval, HKNWE may sublet terminal premises designated by the Government, berthing slots, advertising and shopping space (if any) and baggage-handling services (if any) and may keep the fees from such sub-letting. Revenue arising from duty-free shops, if any, will be shared between HKNWE and the Government.
"As HKNWE will need some time to complete the preparatory work, including obtaining operating rights and route permits from the Macau Maritime Administration, as well as berthing trials and arrangements for other supporting services, it is expected that the ferry service at the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal will be rolled out within three months of the commencement date of the tenancy agreement, i.e. by mid-April 2011," said the spokesman.
Enquiries can be made at 2547 4039 or faxed to 2559 4976.
Ends/Friday, December 24, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:46
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