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The Marine Department administers the port. Its principal function is
to ensure safety of navigation and efficiency of shipping activities in
the waters of Hong Kong. This is achieved by comprehensive traffic management,
harbour patrols, vessel traffic services, provision of mooring buoys and
rigorous enforcement of major international maritime conventions.
The department liaises closely with shipping and commercial
organisations through a number of advisory and consultative committees.
Users and operators of port facilities can provide their advice in relation
to port administration matters through these channels. The Port Operations
Committee advises on all matters related to the efficient operation of
the port, the Pilotage Advisory Committee on matters relating to pilotage
services, and the Port Area Security Advisory Committee on port security.
Besides these, the Provisional Local Vessel Advisory Committee is concerned
with local craft matters and the Shipping Consultative Committee advises
on efficient operation of the HKSR and Hong Kong's participation in the
International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
The Marine Department's website provides a wide range
of information on the port and the HKSR. The home page also carries Marine
Department notices and gives details of the department's services and
facilities. Special features include a Hong Kong Shipping Directory in
which Hong Kong-based marine services companies are listed, real-time
movements of ocean-going vessels (OGVs) and river-trade cargo vessels
in port, examination schedules for seafarers and verification of Port
Clearance Permits issued to OGVs. Applications for certain port formalities
can be submitted over the Internet. Phase I of a new electronic business
portal — the Marine Department eBusiness System — was launched
in December, permitting some 35 types of online submissions for notification
or application.
The department's Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) provides vessel traffic
services to vessels which are required to participate in the Vessel Traffic
Service (VTS) and follow the VTC's directions.
The movements of vessels participating in the VTS
are regulated by the VTC through a computer-aided radar network, VHF communications
and a database information system, which provides surveillance over 95
per cent of Hong Kong waters. The VTS system has been upgraded to cater
for the continual growth and future demands in marine traffic.
The Harbour Patrol Section operates a fleet of 20 patrol launches and
provides on-scene support to the Vessel Traffic Centre. The main duties
of the patrol launches are law enforcement and maintenance of port and
shipping safety, as well as responding to maritime emergencies.
In addition, the department operates a local traffic
control station at Kwai Chung Container Terminal 8. The station, manned
24 hours a day and equipped with a dedicated patrol launch, provides navigational
assistance to vessels in the vicinity. For enhanced traffic control in
the Western Fairway, a surveillance station was set up and began operation
in September.
The department conducts random shipboard inspections of vessels in Hong
Kong waters in accordance with international and local standards. The
dangerous goods legislation is being revised with a view to bringing it
into conformity with the new requirements of the International Maritime
Dangerous Goods Code.
Pilotage is compulsory in Hong Kong waters for vessels of 3 000 gross
tonnes and above, oil tankers of 1 000 gross tonnes and above, and all
gas carriers.
The Director of Marine is the authority regulating
and monitoring the pilotage service through the assistance of the Pilotage
Advisory Committee, whose membership covers a wide spectrum of port users
and shipping interests.
Pilotage service is provided through the Hong Kong
Pilots Association, which is a private company. The service is available
round-the-clock throughout the year.
In 2003, 13 300 local craft — including passenger vessels, cargo
vessels, fishing vessels and pleasure vessels — were licensed in
Hong Kong to provide a variety of efficient and continuous services for
the port as well as the community. The department plans to introduce new
legislation in 2004 with a view to rationalising the licensing and management
of these vessels.
The Hydrographic Office carries out hydrographic surveys and produces
bilingual nautical charts and publications. It also produces Electronic
Navigational Charts. Notices to Mariners for updating of charts are issued
once every two weeks. The office also provides real-time tidal information
and tidal stream predictions through the Internet (http://www.hydro.gov.hk).
The department's Planning and Development Branch provides professional
advice on port and marine projects, and coordinates publicity on all marine
development works. These include CT9, the Hong Kong Disneyland and West
Kowloon Cultural District projects, developments in Tuen Mun Area 38,
South-East Kowloon and Tseung Kwan O, and the proposed new links to the
Pearl River Delta.
The Planning and Development Branch is also the executive
arm of the Designated Authority to implement the IMO's International Ship
and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code in respect of port facilities in
Hong Kong. The main tasks include assessing the security assessments and
security plans of port facilities that are required to comply with the
ISPS Code and undertaking the annual audit of these assessments and plans.
A Safety Guide for Container Handling is available from the Marine Department
for cargo operators to enhance marine industrial safety. The Safety Guide
provides guidance on matters such as managing safety at work, safety procedures
for working on the top of containers and personal protective clothing
and equipment. The Safety Guide will become a Code of Practice after the
Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance enters into force (expected
in 2004). A new Code of Practice for Strength Calculations, Test and
Examination of Derrick Cranes on Local Vessels will also be ready
for issue in 2004. |
