by Nigel Huxtable 

Cotai Waterjets (Macau) Limited is awaiting the green-light from the Hong Kong Marine Department to step up the daytime frequency of its services from the temporary Taipa ferry terminal  and launch night-time sailing.
Following the decision during the week by the Court of Final Appeal to uphold the Las Vegas Sands Corporation's company's license to sail from the Pac-On terminal, it is now only a shortage of  berth slots in Hong Kong preventing the company from increasing its services.
With demand growing on services between Macau and Hong Kong, late last year the Hong Kong Marine Department launched an investigation into the capacity of its Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan.
Cotai Waterjets began sailing to the terminal late last year. With a second licensee, Giant Dragon Sea Transport Company Limited, also looking to run a service between the two SAR's, and complaints from incumbent operator, Shun Tak Holdings Limited, that the new services may result in cut backs in its berth slots, Hong Kong launched the investigation.
During the capacity assessment no new berth slots were allocated to operators which has prevented Cotai Waterjets, which now has seven vessels available but is only using four, from increasing its service from hourly intervals.
“Even though our crews have for sometime been approved to sail at night, and the boats have been tested ... we didn't have any new slots and were stuck with the daytime schedule that had already been approved,” said Stephen Weaver, Asian region president, Las Vegas Sands Corporation.
The capacity investigation, which included asking operators for an assessment of berthing demand, has now been completed and the Sheung Wan terminal is awaiting a decision from the Marine Department, said Lau KK, marine officer for ferry terminals.
Although not prepared to release any findings until a decision on slot capacity has been announced, Mr Lau said that the terminal should be able to handle the load based on demand so far this year.
“From this year's figures I think it (slot capacity) is OK,” he said.
Cotai Waterjets and Giant Dragon are the only two companies to request additional berthing slots at the Hong Kong ferry terminal this year, said Mr Lau, while Shun Tak Holdings unable to increase its services further, he added.
“They (Shun Tak) are at their full strength already,” he said.
Cotaijet plans to operate half-hourly services if it receives its requested slot allocation, ramping up to 15 minute intervals when an additional three ships arrive at the end of the quarter.
The frequency of night services will depend on customer demand, said Mr Weaver.
The Asian region president is confident the Hong Kong terminal will be able to offer the berthing slots necessary and is hopeful an answer will be given midway through this month.
“Can't be sure on timing but (we) are confident that the capacity study will demonstrate there is sufficient capacity to accommodate us,” he said.