郵輪碼頭失先機 配套不全更添憂

Losing a head start, the cruise terminal's future may be further imperiled by its inadequate ancillary facilities

啟德郵輪碼頭正式啟用，預計帶來三千名世界各地旅客。雖然港府信心滿滿，認為有望發展為亞洲區內的郵輪中心，可惜啟德郵輪碼頭周遭配套設施不足，加上起步太遲，失去市場先機，香港未來能否如願成為區內郵輪中心龍頭，實在不無疑問。

啟德郵輪碼頭土地空置十五年，港府規劃發展議而不決，決而不行，拖到四年前才動工，但慢工不代表出細貨，較早前黑雨襲港，郵輪碼頭大樓竟然出現多處滲漏，多部升降機、電梯、電線及地氈受水浸損壞，須緊急維修或更換，時值雨季，如果碼頭大樓仍然有如水簾洞，難免失禮旅客，貽笑大方。

隨着啟德郵輪碼頭啟用，下半年將有十八艘郵輪訪港，總共停泊三十四天，即約有五個月投閒置散。事實上，香港鄰近地區近年均大展拳腳建造郵輪碼頭，新加坡去年十月率先啟用新郵輪碼頭，僅半年已有逾七十艘郵輪停泊；上海亦於去年建成新郵輪碼頭，僅首年已吸引約六十艘郵輪泊岸，連毗鄰的深圳也正興建國際級郵輪碼頭。香港面對強敵環伺，不要說成為郵輪旅遊經濟效益的母港，就算爭取作為中途港也不是易事。

The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal has officially been commissioned. It is expected that the first visiting cruise ship will bring 3,000 travelers from around the world. The Hong Kong Government is full of confidence and believes that the terminal can be developed into a cruise hub in Asia, but the ancillary facilities in the terminal's neighbourhood are unfortunately inadequate. Moreover, getting off to a late start, Hong Kong has already lost its advantages in the market. It is doubtful as to whether Hong Kong will, as it wishes, become the leader in the regional cruise terminal business.

The Kai Tak site has been left vacant for 15 years. The Government's bad habit of “endless deliberation without decision, and tentative decision without implementation” has procrastinated the site's planning and development until the beginning of construction works 4 years ago. However, “soft fire makes sweet malt” does not always apply. Earlier on, after a black rainstorm, leaks were found everywhere in the Cruise Terminal building. Elevators, escalators, power cables and carpets were inundated and damaged, calling for urgent repair and replacement. Since Hong Kong is in its rainy season now, if the terminal building is still studded with such “waterfalls”, it will make a laughingstock of itself before visitors.

Now that the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal is up and running, 18 cruise ships will visit Hong Kong in the latter half of this year, with a total berthing days of 34. In other words, the terminal will be idle for 5 months. In recent years, cities near Hong Kong have been building cruise terminals in a big way. Singapore took the lead and opened its cruise terminal in October last year. 70 cruise liners have already berthed at the new facility in merely half a year. Shanghai's new cruise terminal was also completed last year, attracting 60 cruise ships in the first 6 months of its operation. Even our neighbour, Shenzhen, is planning to build a world-class cruise terminal. Besieged by powerful competitors, Hong Kong will not find it easy even to be a port of call, let alone become a cruise home port that enjoys the most economic benefits.

重要生字

lose a head start 失去先機

endless deliberation without decision, and tentative decision without implementation 議而不決，決而不行

soft fire makes sweet malt 慢工出細貨

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