香港特別行政區政府海事處 MARINE DEPARTMENT HKSAR GOVERNMENT

Issue No. 41 • January 2011 Maritime Awareness Week recognises the industry’s and seafarers’ contributions

The Maritime Awareness Week ­Shipowners ­Association with the (MAW) from October 25 to 31, 2010 ­support from various maritime-­ was a collective­ attempt to celebrate­ related organisations, was to recog- the maritime services’ contributions nise the substantial contributions of to Hong Kong and the achievements the maritime industry to our economy of ­seafarers. and to pay tribute to seafarers. Speaking at the opening ceremony­ The activities held during the MAW of the MAW on October­ 25, 2010, the included representative profession- Acting Chief Executive, Mr Henry­ als from the maritime industry giving­ Tang noted, “We will capitalise on talks to students in universities. The our unique institutional strengths in- topics ranged from ship ­chartering, cluding the rule of law, status as a free ­maritime insurance, finance­ to Also, the Hong Kong ­Shipowners port, a simple and low tax regime, law. ­Participating institutes and Association and Civic Exchange co- free flow of information and capital, ­programmes included the Faculty­ of organised a session presenting the and our world-class and truly Law, the ; the findings of a major research project ­integrated ­maritime-related Department of Logistics­ and Maritime­ on ship-sourced pollution. Before the services.” Studies, the Hong Kong Polytechnic seminar, a presentation was held to The MAW, jointly University; and the Master of Laws recognise carriers who had agreed to organised by the Hong (Maritime and Transportation Law) sign up to the Fair Winds Charter, a Kong Maritime Industry­ programme, the City University of voluntary fuel switch programme for ­Council and the Hong Kong Hong Kong. ocean-going vessels calling at Hong Kong.

Legacy of MAW More information of the MAW, includ- ing press releases, photos, ­video footage and the like, is available at http: //www. maritimeawarenessweek.org.hk/.

Mr (centre) officiating at the opening of the MAW. Looking on (from left) are Chairman of Hong Kong Shipowners Association, Mr Kenneth Koo; Secretary for and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng; LegCo Member, Ms Miriam Lau, and Director of Marine, Mr Roger Tupper. HONG KONG MARITIME NEWS

Industry-wide interests ­development of the maritime industry. About 200 participants from the in- discussed at seminar dustry and related training institutions attended the seminar, which featured A one-day seminar on the Mari- seminar, the Permanent Secretary for speakers from the Marine Depart- time Labour Convention 2006, Transport and Housing (Transport), ment, Chinese Ministry of Transport, oil pollution regulations and maritime Mr Francis Ho, said that the maritime Shanghai Maritime University, China security was jointly ­organised by the industry had long underpinned the Shipowners’ Association, Hong Kong Hong Kong Shipowners Association,­ world’s economic development and Shipowners Association, Hong Kong Hong Kong Seamen’s Union and Hong that the three topics of the seminar, Seamen’s Union, Chinese Seamen’s Kong Maritime Industry­ Council on namely the well-being of seafarers, Union, and ship management, ­marine October 26, 2010. marine pollution and piracy, were all insurance and pollution clearance Addressing the opening of the of major interests to the long-term companies.

Organisers and speakers of the seminar pose for a group picture.

Church service for seafarers, charity dinner with auction

October 28, 2010 was designated Port Welfare Committee (PWC). as “Seafarer’s Day”. A special church ­Altogether there were 12 maritime service dedicated to seafarers and and other­ memorabilia­ for auction.­ a charity dinner with auction were Theauctioneer, ­ Director of the Hong held at the Mariners’ Club, Tsim Sha Kong Maritime Museum Dr Stephen­ Tsui. Davies, introduced each item before Enthusiastic responses to the auction. The theme of the service at St it went under the ­hammer. Through a Peter’s Church of the Mariners’ Club highlighted­ the contributions heated bidding process, all the items made by seafarers to our every day were sold at good prices, fetch- lives. The congregation of 70 people ing a ­total of $41,400 for the PWC. ­represented different aspects of the ­Together with the proceeds from the shipping ­community including sea- dinner, a total sum of over $58,000 farers from vessels in the port. was raised in the evening for the In the same evening, over PWC. 120 guests attended a charity ­dinner with auction hosted by the

2 HONG KONG MARITIME NEWS

Yeung, also pointed out that many “Think Maritime Day” ­incentive schemes launched by the Government encouraged young people­ shows career opportunities to pursue a seafaring career. Tak- ing the Sea-going Training Incentive­ The “Think Maritime Day” was held mony, Mr Yau said that the MSTI had Scheme as an example, among the 140 on October 27, 2010 during which a been offering multifarious courses to ­entrants to the scheme over the years, tree planting ceremony was conducted train elites for the maritime industry­ more than half of them were MSTI in the Vocational Training Council’s­ and was indeed one of nurturing graduates. The training ­period of deck Maritime Services Training Institute cradles of the seafaring manpower and engine cadets ­lasted for 24 and (VTC’s MSTI). Also, a ­number of of Hong Kong. In recent years, the six months respectively­ at the longest. talks were organised to promote to the ­number of young people entering the Each is eligible for the Government’s young people the career opportunities maritime industry has been rising and subsidy of $5,000 each month during in the maritime industry. the MSTI has played an important role cadetship. Upon passing the practi- The tree planting ceremony was in consolidating Hong Kong’s ­position cal training and obtaining the related officiated by the Under Secretary as a major maritime centre. qualifications, the entrants would be for Transport and Housing, Mr The Manager of the MSTI, Mr Tony reimbursed for the examination fees. Yau Shing-mu; LegCo Member Ms ­Miriam Lau; Chairman of Hong Kong (From left) Dr Shipowners Association, Mr Kenneth Lawrence Chan, Koo; Chairman of the VTC Maritime Mr Kenneth Services Training Board, Mr Andrew Koo, Mr Yau Shing-mu, Ms Chen, and Principal of the Hong Miriam Lau, and Kong Institute­ of Vocational Educa- Mr Andrew Chen tion (Tsing­ Yi), Dr Lawrence Chan. officiating at the ­Together they planted cypresses on tree planting ceremony. the MSTI campus, symbolising the collaboration of the Government, in- dustry and the academy to train up new blood for the maritime industry. Addressing the tree planting cere- HK opens new nautical study centre

The Nautical Study Centre of the Hong Kong Seamen’s Union (HKSU), which is the first centre in the terri- tory dedicated to provide professional training and learning facilities for sea- farers free of charge, was opened on October 28, 2010. Located at A4, 2/F, United Court, 37G Jordon Road, the centre’s study room is designed for the use of a maxi- mum of 20 people. The library has a collection of over 200 types of books, from engineering to nautical fields. In ­addition, it houses publications of the International Maritime Organization, training videos, training manuals and charts. To establish this centre, the Government set aside one million dol- lars for the procurement of informa- (From left) Captain Li Chi-wai; Mr Roger Tupper; Vice-chairman of Chinese Seamen and Construc- tion materials. tion Workers’ Union, Mr Zhu Linqing, and Vice-chairman of the HKSU, Mr Wong Kwok-kin, clapping Speaking at the opening ceremony,­ after unveiling the plaque. the Director of Marine, Mr Roger Tupper, said that the centre would for their seafaring examinations. on the maritime industry. The HKSU achieve two purposes. Firstly, ­local ­Secondly, active marine professions students could study at the centre could find there the latest information continued on page 4 3 HONG KONG MARITIME NEWS Celebrating HK Shipping Registry’s two decades of achievements

The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, and ­prominent figures of Hong Kong’s maritime industry joined a luncheon on ­October 29, 2010 to mark the 20th anniversary­ of the Hong Kong ­Shipping ­Registry (HKSR). In a keynote speech during the event, Ms Cheng congratulated the autonomous HKSR on its impressive achievements as a shining example of first-rate service offered by the Hong Kong maritime cluster. The HKSR was set up on December 3, 1990. Starting with a gross tonnage of six million, it was the fifth largest register globally and has passed the 54 million mark. She also pointed out that con- solidating Hong Kong’s position as Officiating at the cake cutting ceremony are (from left) Mr Wellington Koo representing ex-Chairman of Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA), Mr David Koo; Chairman of HKSOA, a renowned­ international maritime Mr Kenneth Koo; Ms Eva Cheng; Member of 1989 Steering Group of HKSR, Mr Tony Clark; centre and reinforcing the maritime ex-Director of Marine, Mr Michael Sze, and Mr Roger Tupper. cluster had always ranked high on the agenda of the Government and would remain so. Ms Cheng noted that Hong Kong’s Ms Eva Cheng (left) truly global reach and high frequency presents a com- memorative plaque of sailings have helped maintain and to Captain P H Lam to reinforce its status as an international recognise his dedication hub port. for years in organis- Also speaking at the luncheon, ing cadet placements and pre-qualification the Director of Marine, Mr Roger courses for cadets. Tupper, echoed Ms Cheng’s view on Hong Kong’s status as an international hub port. He said, “This large fleet, amongst the top five in the world, pro- vides a constant visual reminder in the great port cities around the globe that Hong Kong is a truly world maritime city.”

continued from page 3 HK opens new nautical study centre

and Hong Kong Shipowners Asso- ciation have joined hands to organise­ small classes and short tutorial­ classes­ for these candidates. The Chairman of the HKSU, Cap- tain Li ­Chi-wai, believed that with the ­support of the Government­ and ­maritime industry, the ­centre would help train local ­maritime ­professionals.

4 HONG KONG MARITIME NEWS

Thousands flock to Beach cleaning day fair and dockyard open day concludes MAW The MAW was rounded off by a About 4,500 visitors enjoyed with the Government, making the beach cleaning day on October 31, ­themselves while learning more about event successful. 2010 at Hung Shing Yeh Beach on Hong Kong’s maritime industry at During the event, visitors­ could Lamma Island. the Maritime Fair cum Government board and visit government vessels. The beach cleaning day was Dockyard Open Day on October 30, Visitors also got to know the mainte- aimed at disseminating the envi- 2010. nance works of government vessels, ronmental protection message by Speaking at the opening ceremony­ and how a 63-ton travel-hoist was keeping the harbour clean, and of the event, LegCo Member Ms employed to transfer a boat from the promoting the strong presence and ­Miriam Lau said that to ­strengthen sea to the docking shed. Also on dis- unity of the Hong Kong maritime Hong Kong’s position as a regional play were a set of computer simulation industry to the general public. hub port in the Asia-pacific region, software with which visitors could About 140 people took part Hong Kong should continue to work try to “design” and “navigate” a ship, in the beach cleaning day during hand in hand and brush up a brighter a dynamometer and the anchor of which about 30 bags of refuse were future of the maritime industry to the the world largest ship, the ultra large collected from the beach. next generation. crude carrier “Seawise Giant”. The Assistant Director (Govern- In addition, visitors enjoyed parade ment Fleet) of the Marine Depart- performances by the Hong Kong Sea ment, Mr H K Leung, noted that this Cadet Corps and a helicopter winch- was the first time ever the Government ing demonstration by the Government Dockyard was open to the public. He Flying Service. Meanwhile, exhibitions thanked members of the maritime were mounted by the maritime indus- sector for their strong commitment try and maritime-related government to the industry and close partnership departments.

Ms Miriam Lau (cen- tre) and other guests visiting a booth. Joining the beach cleaning day are (from left) Chairman of Institute of Seatransport, Mr P C So; Deputy ­Secretary for Transport and Housing (Transport), Ms Doris Cheung, and Chairman of Green Power, Dr Eric Tsang.

Port of HK Handbook & Directory 2010 published

A useful and practical guide to the Port of Hong Kong and its maritime­ services, The Port of Hong Kong Handbook & Directory 2010, has been published. It can be read at http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/b54b93b8 and free copies are available to interested­ parties in Hong Kong. Published by Seatrade Communications Limited with the support of the Marine Department, the 100-page handbook was compiled mainly in English. For those in Hong Kong interested in getting a copy of the handbook, please send your request by e-mail to [email protected].

5 HONG KONG MARITIME NEWS

Kong, Singapore,­ Hefei,­ Shanghai, Joint efforts boost Shekou, Xi’an and Tianjin. With the staunch support and quality of HK-flagged ships co-operation of the shipowners and ship operators, these safety and PSC The Marine Department continues ­management companies before send- ­measures have been implemented enhancing the quality of the fleet on ing to the CSS for follow-up actions. ­effectively as the number of ship the Hong Kong Shipping Register so A similar­ requirement­ took effect in ­detentions has been decreasing. The that the number of ships detained will early October­ 2010 on ships visiting Hong Kong-registered ships’ port be further reduced. Australian ports. State detention rate was only about In mid-July 2010, the Cargo Ships Also, the CSS has held port State one-third of the world’s average. Safety Section (CSS) of the Marine­ control (PSC) and safety ­seminars Department introduced a new since mid-2010, disseminating ­measure by developing a self-assess- ­updated information and discuss- ment checklist to enable the masters ing practical solutions with the ship of Hong Kong-flagged ships and their ­management companies so as to management companies to assess the have an in-depth exchange with these physical condition of the vessels, and ­companies and encourage continuous to understand how effective the safety improvements in their safety manage- management system and environmen- ment system. The first seminar was tally friendly policies are implemented­ held on July 29, 2010. A total of 20 on board. The master of each ship is safety promotion­ visits and seminars required to examine his vessel and have so far been organised and were Assistant Director of Marine (Shipping), Mr H M Tung (third left), and Marine Department fill in the checklist before entering ­participated by some 39 manage- staff discussing port State control measures any US port. These signed check- ment companies and 225 operational with a ship management company. lists are then ­endorsed by the ship staff from seven­cities including Hong

Exercise tests responses in including absorption mopping, ­mechanical skimming, spill hurdling by water jets, application of oil disper- combating oil spills sants from launches and a helicopter, A joint annual anti-oil pollution and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park, and recovery of booms and equip- ­exercise, code-named Oilex 2010, shorelines of Lung Kwu Tan, as well as ment. was held north of Lung Kwu Chau on the marine culture zones at Deep Bay. As the location of the exercise was ­December 3, 2010 to test responses The oil combat teams responded very close to the boundary between­ in combating oil pollution in Hong by setting up a ring of floating ­barrier Hong Kong and , the Kong waters under the Maritime Oil booms around the tanker while the ­Marine Department also took the Spill Response Plan. The Maritime tanker owner’s salvage teams plugged opportunity to test the co-operative Oil Spill Response Plan, maintained an underwater gash in the tanker. A actions of the maritime administra- by the Marine­ Department, is aimed second defence line of barrier booms tions under the Regional Maritime­ at ensuring­ a timely and effective was rigged on the downstream side Oil Spill Response Plan for the Pearl ­response to oil spills in Hong Kong of the beached tanker to further River Estuary­ adopted by the ­Marine waters. ­prevent oil streaks from ­approaching ­Department and the Maritime The Marine Department co- the ­marine park. Differenttechniques ­ ordinated Oilex 2010. Other govern- of oil spill recovery were practised, continued on page 7 ment departments – the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Depart- ment, Auxiliary Medical Service, Civil Aid Service, Government Flying ­Service and Hong Kong Police Force – as well as six companies including oil companies, took part in the exercise. The exercise simulated ascenario ­ in which a 6,840-tonne product tanker bound for Chiwan, Shenzhen, had ­taken on water in one of its cargo tanks and had to be beached north of A helicopter of the Government Flying Service Oil booms being set up to contain simulated Lung Kwu Chau. The oil spill posed simulating applying oil dispersants. spills. threats to the ecology of the Sha Chau

6 HONG KONG MARITIME NEWS continued from page 6 Exercise tests responses in combating oil spills

­Administrations of Guangdong, ­Macao and Shenzhen. The Guangdong and Shenzhen Maritime Safety Administrations deployed pollution control vessels to take cleaning ­actions at the boundary to prevent the spreading of spilled oil and to pro- tect the ecology of the Pearl River Estuary. Apart from the on-scene exercise, a simulation on crisis management and communication was completed earlier by related government departments to refresh common under- standing of the incident command system during a major spill.

Marine Department, Maritime News Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Editorial Board Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2852-4423 G.P.O. Box 4155 Fax: (852) 2543-8531 Enquiries: (852) 2542-3711 Email: [email protected] Fax: (852) 2541-7194, 2544-9241 Subscription: (852) 2852-4544 Web site: www.mardep.gov.hk Email: [email protected]

7