Hong Kong 2006 - Transport

The Marine Department administers the port. Its principal function is to ensure navigation safety and efficiency of shipping activities in the waters of Hong Kong. This is achieved through comprehensive traffic management, harbour patrols, vessel traffic services, provision of mooring buoys and strict 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 advice related 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 related to pilotage services, and the Port Area Security Advisory Committee on port security. In addition, the Provisional Local Vessel Advisory Committee deals with local craft matters while the Shipping Consultative Committee gives advice on operating the Hong Kong Shipping Register (HKSR) and Hong Kong's participation in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

The Marine Department's website (www.mardep.gov.hk) 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 the application of Really Simple Syndication (RSS) to publish frequently updated Merchant Shipping Notices; the 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; and port and maritime statistics providing the latest monthly and quarterly statistics on vessel arrivals, cargo and container throughput. The Marine Department eBusiness System was launched in December 2004 permitting 35 types of online submissions and is now being enhanced to provide more eBusiness facilities.

The department's Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) provides traffic services to vessels participating in the Vessel Traffic Service. Under the arrangement, the movements of vessels are regulated by the VTC through a computer-aided radar network, VHF radios and a database information system, which provide full surveillance of all navigable waters in Hong Kong. The traffic service system has been upgraded to cater for the continual growth and future demands of marine traffic.

The Harbour Patrol Section operates a fleet of 20 patrol launches and provides on-scene support for the VTC. Apart from responding to maritime emergencies, the main duties of the patrol launches are law enforcement and the maintenance of port and shipping safety.

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.

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 to conform 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 more, oil tankers of 1 000 gross tonnes and more, and all gas carriers.

The Director of Marine is the authority regulating and monitoring the pilotage service with the assistance of the Pilotage Advisory Committee, which has a membership comprising a wide spectrum of port users and shipping interests. The 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 2006, 14 000 local craft — including passenger, cargo, fishing and pleasure vessels — were licensed in Hong Kong to provide a variety of efficient and continuous services for the port and the community. To rationalise the licensing and management of these vessels, a new Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance was drawn up in 2006 and will go into effect in early 2007.

The Hydrographic Office carries out hydrographic surveys and produces bilingual nautical charts and publications. It also produces Electronic Navigational Charts. Notices to Mariners for the updating of charts are issued once every two weeks. The office also provides real-time information about tides and tidal stream predictions through the Internet (www.hydro.gov.hk).

The department's Planning, Development and Port Security Branch provides professional advice on port and marine projects, and coordinates publicity on all marine development works. These include developments in Tuen Mun Area 38, Central, Wan Chai, Southeast Kowloon and Tseung Kwan O, and the proposed new links to cities in the Pearl River Delta.

The branch is also the executive arm of the designated authority for implementing the IMO's International Ship and Port Facility Security Code for port facilities in Hong Kong. Current tasks include monitoring security exercises and drills conducted at the different port facilities and carrying out annual audits of port facility security arrangements.

Codes of Practice (COP) on Safety of Works were issued by the Marine Department to enhance marine industrial safety. They provide guidance on matters such as safety at work, safety procedures for working on top of containers and personal protective clothing and equipment.