Hong Kong port's importance will not diminish despite the emergence of Shenzhen, said an official of the Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board.
Board secretary Alex Fong said the ports would complement each other serving different needs of manufacturers and shippers.
Customers who demand time specific or punctual deliveries will prefer to ship their goods through Hong Kong.
'Hong Kong has a more developed infrastructure and very efficient Customs - this ensures better, more punctual delivery of goods,' Mr Fong said.
Manufacturers and transport firms still must deal with red tape at Shenzhen's Customs.
Those who need to ship 'high-value' commodities or assemble mainland-produced components into finished products in overseas countries especially prefer shipments from Hong Kong. A British-based consultancy firm GHK Hong Kong, which the SAR Government appointed to evaluate the prospects for Hong Kong's cargo handling, has forecast that annual throughput could grow from the present 18.1 million teu (20 foot equivalent unit) to 30 million teu by 2010 and 40 million teu by 2020.
