ON THIS day 25 years ago: A ship's skipper suggested Hong Kong did not need a containerisation wharf because it could cripple the territory's manufacturing economy.
Captain K. Braendekilde, master of the Chastine Maersk, said Hong Kong would need some container facilities but would also need to rely on palletisation.
He believed the large number of small manufacturers which exported goods overseas meant there was no need for full-scale containerisation, and cost considerations would mean there would always be a need for the pallet-type system. Pallets are small wooden platforms used by fork-lift trucks to carry goods from one point to another.
Since a container cost $46,000 plus yearly maintenance of $1,500, Captain Braendekilde said many people in small industry could not afford it.
In addition, fees charged for using facilities in the container wharf would further increase the burden of the container users.
More importantly though, if small manufacturers used containers in Hong Kong, they would lose money through the loss of space needed for storage.