The Civil Engineering & Development Department will relocate a large metal object found beneath the seabed near the old Wan Chai Ferry Pier to a nearby area so reclamation works can resume.
A marine archaeologist believes the object may be part of a World War II shipwreck, or the remains of HMS Tamar.
On the archaeologist's advice, the contractor will continue to remove the sediment inside and surrounding the object and other substances that cover it until it is fully exposed.
Relocation of the object under water for further surveying will avoid exposure of the metal to the air, which may accelerate oxidation and corrosion.
The department is formulating a suitable relocation plan, and it is expected to be carried out by end of next month.
The object was found by a contractor six metres beneath the seabed at the end of last year during dredging works for Wan Chai Development Phase II.