Tight security will be imposed when 20 tonnes of fireworks are detonated to light the sky above Victoria Harbour on July 1.
Yachts and pleasure boats jostling for the best view will be barred from a zone of at least three square kilometres, to be reserved for performance barges and rescue vessels.
Two years ago, a container ship loaded with 50 tonnes of fireworks burst into flames after it collided with another vessel about three kilometres northwest of Green Island.
Pyrotechnicians are planning to make the July 1 display bigger than any seen before in the territory.
Display organisers are hoping to set off two 60-centimetre and at least eight 40-cm shells imported from Japan, but they still need to obtain approval from the Commissioner of Mines.
Each 60-cm shell weighs 200 kilograms, takes three months to make, and costs US$10,000 (HK$77,310), so they are rarely seen in displays.