Evolution of the Government Dockyard

Records about the Government Dockyard of Macao can be traced back to as early as 1884. By then, the Ports Authority had a small dockyard providing repair and maintenance services nearby “Si Da Hau” of the Interior Harbor. It was later relocated next to A-Ma Temple due to siltation of the port, where it mainly engaged in repairs. By 1910, it built the first motorized wooden boat, named “Taipa”, for the Ports Authority. From 1918 to 1920, it built the second batch of boats for the Ports Authority while its work conditions were improved through enlargement to accommodate a new warehouse, work-houses and an office. In 1929, it built the first steel ship of Macao, named “Jade”.

During the 1960s, though the Government Dockyard was no longer subordinate to the Ports Authority, but it had built some more ships. After Macao’s Handover, the government constructed the Sai Van Lakescape Avenue (Avenida da Panorâmica do Lago Sai Van) over the reclaimed land lying adjacent to A-Ma Temple and the Government Dockyard to create access from the Barra district to the Sai Van Bridge. In 2003, the Government Dockyard was relocated to the Naval Construction Yard along Rua da Doca Seca of Fai Chi Kei district due to the construction of the avenue.