Government Fleet

There are over 720 vessels of different types and sizes in the government fleet. About 134 vessels are major mechanised vessels serving 15 government departments including the Hong Kong Police Force (Marine Police region), Customs and Excise and Fire Services. These are mainly purpose-built vessels operated and manned by the user departments or the Marine Department. The department itself controls some 65 vessels, which comprise mainly patrol launches, conveyance launches, pontoons and some specialised vessels such as hydrographic survey launches and explosives carriers. They are deployed to serve the needs of port operations and other government departments that do not have their own fleets.

Since 1999, the department has been outsourcing the provision of marine transport services, such as conveyance launches and tug boats, to private contractors. In 2004, two harbour patrol vessels operating 24 hours a day were outsourced. Currently, the department has contracts with local companies for 22 vessels to provide transportation services to the department.

Government Dockyard

The Government Dockyard at Stonecutters Island occupies a land site of 9.8 hectares in addition to a sheltered water basin of 8.3 hectares. It serves as one of the operational bases for the Marine Department, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Customs and Excise Department.

The dockyard is also responsible for the design, procurement and maintenance of all vessels for the Government. In 2004, eight new vessels costing $196 million were built and delivered to the Government. Nine new building contracts, worth $1 million, were awarded to shipbuilders in Hong Kong and overseas.