Copyright scmp
This article was first published in a supplement on September 27, 1985 By Andre Cadogan Travel to Macau and take a trip into the 21st century The opening ceremony today (September 27, 1985) of the Macau Ferry Terminal marks yet another peak in the achievements of Hong Kong’s entrepreneurs and experts. It is the largest structural steel building in Southeast Asia and occupies an area of 56,000 sq m, including the seaborne piers, making it one of the most extensive complexes in the territory. After 4 1/2 years’ work and the conquering of some complicated technical mountains, Hong Kong has a unique showpiece for the world, the most advanced marine passenger terminal ever built, with a capacity for 90,000 passengers a day. The complex, which cost a total of about HK$1.5 billion, consists of two parts: the on-land shopping and restaurant area with twin towers, and the seaborne artificial islands linked by bridges. These contain some of the most sophisticated docking equipment found in use anywhere in the world. Although the opening ceremony is taking place today, the terminal will officially become operational sometime time next month. The waterside structure comprises over 210,000 sq m of floor area given over to shops, department stores and restaurants. Above this complex tower two 41-storey blocks, one converted late in the day to a luxury hotel and the other intended as office space. Clad in stainless steel and glass and striking in their bold primary colours they dominate the shoreline and gaze out onto the technical miracle of the piers. These two man-made concrete islands represent an impressive degree of technical skill. They are supported on 400 piles with a total length of over 12 miles (the longest being roughly equivalent to half the height of the towers), and rise up to a level of eight storeys. They are capable of providing docking facilities for all types of marine vehicles on the Hong Kong-Macau run as well as a customs and immigration capability for a maximum of 15 million people a year. A helipad is to be built atop the main podium, fitted with hydraulic rams to raise and lower it through four metres, due to flight path restrictions. Costing HK$10 million, the 30x30m helipad will be added in six months’ time. Trends in building design and construction have been taken into account to ensure that the new Macau ferry terminal looks just that, new, and will continue to do so way into the 21st century. This article was first published on September 28, 1985 By James Sun New ferry pier boosts China tours Steps are being taken to meet the increasing needs of passenger traffic between Hong Kong and China, the Governor, Sir Edward Youde, said yesterday (September 27, 1985). Both Hong Kong and Macau had developed into important gateways for passenger traffic to China in recent years and traffic was bound to increase. “The completion, at the end of 1987, of the new ferry terminal for China services in Canton Road will be another welcome addition to the facilities provided to the travelling public,” Sir Edward said. Speaking to about 500 guests at the opening ceremony of the new Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, the Governor said it was a major improvement in Hong Kong’s communication links with Macau. The Macau Governor, Rear Admiral Vasco de Almeida e Costa, also attended the ceremony at the new terminal which will come into operation next month. The complex, the largest structural steel building in Southeast Asia, costs $1.5 billion. It consists of two sections – the on-land shopping and restaurant area with twin towers, and the seaborne artificial islands linked by bridges The number of ferry passengers between Hong Kong and Macau had risen steadily from under two million in 1964 to almost nine million last year, Sir Edward said. Sir Edward also congratulated the directors of Shun Tak Centre Ltd and the Director of Marine for their foresight in conceiving the development.
