Suspected shipwreck discovery in Hong Kong could delay major construction project

Remains of a large suspected shipwreck have been found in the sea bed off Wan Chai during dredging works for the construction of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass.

The discovery, about six metres below the sea bed near the old Wan Chai Ferry Pier, was made late last year. If it is determined to be of historical significance it could prompt an investigation which would delay the project.

The Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link has an estimated total cost of HK$36 billion.

The Civil Engineering and Development Department on Friday announced the discovery, which was made during dredging works to prepare for land reclamation in Wan Chai and the tunnel works for the bypass. Further dredging and measurements taken later confirmed that the object was 40 metres long, 20 metres wide and two metres high.

"According to the initial information gathered so far, there is a possibility that the object is part of a shipwreck.

"More details and the impact on related works are subject to further investigation and assessment," the department said in a statement.

Frogmen were examining the area yesterday.