Lawmakers probe superyacht viability in Hung Hom waterfront plan

As part of the government's latest Policy Address, plans to boost the yacht economy and cruise tourism through around 600 new berths have sparked lively debate in the Legislative Council, with lawmakers probing whether upcoming projects can accommodate massive superyachts and calling for integrated hotel developments to maximize economic gains.

The initiatives target key sites, including the repurposed Ex-Lamma Quarry, an expansion of the Aberdeen typhoon shelter, and a waterfront development at Hung Hom station.

Lawmaker Doreen Kong Yuk-foon raised questions about the Hung Hom project's viability for super yachts, which often exceed 50 meters in length and require deeper waters away from busy shipping lanes.

Permanent Secretary for Development Doris Ho Pui-ling explained that the Hung Hom site's proximity to navigation channels might limit its suitability for such vessels.

Instead, officials are evaluating how many superyachts the ex-Lamma Quarry could host, while yacht facilities planned for the Airport City area are earmarked specifically for these luxury craft.

New People's Party leader Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee highlighted spatial challenges at the Aberdeen typhoon shelter, where yachts currently mingle with fishing boats in cramped quarters, and urged creative solutions for the upgrade. 

On the cruise front, she drew parallels to Barcelona, where designating a terminal as a home port encourages visitors to book hotels alongside voyages, suggesting the government reserve land in the Kai Tak runway area for hospitality venues to capture similar spillover benefits.

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho outlined the Aberdeen revamp's design, which would separate private yacht slips and leisure amenities near the Ocean Park hotel from public berths on the opposite side, complete with clear zoning to prevent overlaps. 

For Kai Tak, she noted several commercial plots remain available amid a sluggish market, currently used for interim purposes, but the runway tip has been set aside for commercial and tourism projects ripe for hotel construction.

Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong lawmaker Benson Luk Hon-man voiced concerns over storm resilience, citing recent damage to a southern district hotel's entrance during Super Typhoon Ragasa's onslaught, and asked if breakwaters would be heightened and reinforced to shield yacht moorings. 

Linn assured that the new barriers incorporate the latest data for calmer surrounding waters, confident in preventing future mishaps.