Deputy director Tsui Shung-yiu is set to take over the Marine Department's top spot when director Ian Dale retires early next year.
Industry insiders say Mr Tsui, 50, is the most obvious candidate because he is second in command at the Marine Department.
Mr Tsui joined the department in 1978 as a ship surveyor. He became senior surveyor of ships in 1978, rising to assistant director of marine in April 1990. He was appointed to his present position about two years ago.
If Mr Tsui is appointed director he will be faced with a series of challenges, including implementation of worldwide shipping standards and meeting problems of safety and congestion in the harbour after reclamation.
No formal announcement about Mr Dale's retirement has been made, but he is expected to leave the department in the spring.
Taking into account Mr Dale's pre-retirement leave entitlement, this means functionally he will cease to be the Marine Department's director from about the beginning of next year.
