Mid-stream operation

Mid-stream operation is the operation of loading and unloading cargo containers from a container ship while at sea, with barges or dumb steel lighters performing the transfer, distribution or landing of containers to piers nearby.

Mid-stream operations in Hong Kong, at the North Lamma Anchorage, near Lamma Island. Small barges with cranes offload containers.

The waters of Hong Kong viewed from space

Mid-stream operation has the significant advantage of low cost, but has been criticized for the danger and difficulty of transferring cargoes between two ships at sea.

Hong Kong operations

Mid-stream operation has been abandoned almost everywhere except Hong Kong, where land is insufficient and the fees for using the container pier are quite high. In Hong Kong, mid-stream operations occur at 12 different locations occupying a total land area of 34.6 hectares and water frontage of 3,513 metres.

Operators include:

• Fat Kee Stevedores Ltd.
• Tai Wah Sea/Land Heavy Transportation Ltd.
• Transward Ltd.

See also

• Ship-to-ship cargo transfer
• Underway replenishment
• Port of Hong Kong
• Stevedore

External links

• Mid-stream operation in Hong Kong
• List of