Hengqin Port’s Passenger Inspection Hall is now under phased, zoned construction to upgrade and expand its passenger inspection channels to 113, expected to be completed and available for use in the third quarter of this year.
It is estimated that after the expansion, the planned passenger clearance capacity of the Hengqin Port inspection hall will increase from the current 114,900 person-times per day to nearly 220,000 person-times per day.
The project will increase the total number of passenger inspection channels in the hall from the current 69 to 113, nearly doubling the border-crossing capacity. The upgrade will also feature enhanced functionality and smart capabilities, comprehensively improving the port’s overall clearance capacity and efficiency.
According to a recent notice released by the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone, the upgrade and expansion of the Hengqin Port inspection hall will involve the removal of four existing joint inspection manual lanes on the first and second floors.
On the first floor, in the Hengqin-to-Macau direction, the number of manual inspection channels will increase from six to 10, and the number of joint inspection fast-track lanes will increase from 24 to 47. On the second floor, in the Macau-to-Hengqin direction, manual inspection channels will increase from seven to nine, and joint inspection fast-track lanes will also increase from 24 to 47.
The bureau stated that construction will proceed in phases and zones. During the construction period, the inspection hall will remain open, with no changes to the clearance model or operating hours. Construction may affect pedestrian routes, and travelers are required to follow on-site signs or proceed in an orderly manner under the guidance of staff.
In terms of information technology, the newly added joint inspection fast-track lanes will all feature facial-recognition-based smart clearance functionality to achieve intelligent clearance processes. It is expected that the average waiting time for passengers during peak hours will be reduced by about 45%, significantly improving clearance efficiency.
Last year, the total number of inbound and outbound passengers exceeded 30 million for the first time, with an average daily inspection of approximately 83,000 person-times, a year-on-year increase of nearly 33%.
The existing clearance facilities and inspection channels have proven inadequate during peak passenger flow periods.
The bureau stated that with the accelerated integrated development of Hengqin-Macau, coupled with the implementation of multiple facilitation policies such as “multiple-entry visas” and “Hengqin-Macau tour groups,” passenger flow at Hengqin Port is gradually increasing.
According to authorities, the construction project to add passenger inspection channels may effectively alleviate pressure during peak hours and enhance the clearance efficiency and service guarantee capacity of Hengqin Port. Ricaela Diputado
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