River Trade Terminal business kicks off

The new $6.01 billion Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal (RTT), which started operations yesterday, is offering itself as a hub port for the trade.

However, an RTT spokesman declined to reveal the throughput at the facility, which started operations with 10 barge berths and a 525-metre quay front.

'We are satisfied with the throughput,' she said, adding that the terminal would hold its official opening at a later date.

When fully completed next year, the RTT, being built on a 65-hectare site, will have a 3,000-metre quay front with 60 berths.

The terminal is expected to attract 80 per cent of the present river trade.

A source said throughput at the RTT would be much lower than forecast earlier because of a slowdown in trade this year.