English June 09.Indd
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香港特別行政區政府海事處 MARINE DEPARTMENT HKSAR GOVERNMENT Issue No. 35 • June 2009 HK int’l pact on ship recycling adopted A new convention, the Hong Kong Mr Mitropoulos said: “The new International Convention for the Safe convention strikes the right balance and Environmentally Sound Recycling between the responsibilities and of Ships, 2009, which aims to ensure obligations of ship owners, ship that ships, when being recycled after recycling facilities, flag and recycling reaching the end of their operational States, and allows for future improve- lives, do not pose any unnecessary risk ments and provides a platform and an to human health and safety or to the avenue for better regulation, in due environment, has been adopted by the course, of the activity it addresses.” International Maritime Organization He urged governments now to turn (IMO). their attention to the important task The convention was adopted at of bringing the convention into force an IMO diplomatic conference held at the earliest possible date and, there- The Vice Minister of Transport, Mr Xu Zuyuan, in Hong Kong from May 11 to 15 after, to promote its uniform and signs the Hong Kong International Conven- tion for the Safe and Environmentally Sound which was attended by delegates effective implementation. Recycling of Ships, 2009. from some 63 countries as well “The closure of the conference,” he as a number of intergovernmental said, “should mark the beginning of and non-governmental organisations strenuous efforts: first, to initiate, back around ship recycling, including the around the world. The conference home, work to ratify the convention at fact that ships sold for scrapping may was organised with the support of the the earliest possible opportunity to contain environmentally hazardous Central People’s Government. expedite its entry into force; secondly, substances such as asbestos, heavy Speaking at the close of the to initiate action to provide techni- metals, hydrocarbons, ozone-deplet- conference, IMO Secretary-General cal assistance to requesting countries ing substances and other concerns Efthimios E. Mitropoulos noted that without awaiting its entry into force; raised about the working and envi- a new chapter has been written in and thirdly, to initiate action, as may ronmental conditions at many of the IMO’s history and Hong Kong has be necessary, to ensure the effective world’s ship recycling locations. taken its rightful place among those implementation and proper enforce- The convention shall be open for sig- cities such as Athens, Torremolinos, ment of the convention when it comes nature by any State at the Headquarters Rome, Hamburg, Nairobi that have into force.” of the IMO from September 1, 2009 been associated with the adoption of The new convention intends to ad- to August 31, 2010 and shall thereaf- a new IMO convention. dress, among others, all the issues continued on page 2 I N T H I S I S S U E Sea-going Training 2 Incentive Scheme enhanced PolyU’s facilities named after 3 shipping magnate Dr Frank Tsao Chief Executive Donald IMO diplomatic conference – Tsang welcomes IMO 4 a vote of confidence in HK delegates to the confer- ence. From left, the Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Important issues discussed at PRC, Mr Zhan Yongxin, Vice Minister of Transport, Mr Xu Zuyuan, Secretary for 5 regular meeting of MD and Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, and Secretary-General of the IMO, Mr MSA of PRC Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, toast IMO delegates. HONG KONG MARITIME NEWS Sea-going Training Incentive Scheme enhanced As Hong Kong is concerned Facilities, the Deputy Director of The 20th anniversary of Maritime Services Training about the sustainable development Marine, Mr Francis Liu, said that the Institute cum Grand Opening of New Facilities. of its maritime industry, the Sea- amount of monthly incentive payment going Training Incentive Scheme was to sea-going cadets has been increased have joined the Sea-going Training introduced in 2004. Despite the cur- from $4,000 to $5,000 since January Incentive Scheme. To date, 31 deck rent global economic downturn, the 29, 2009 so as to encourage more local cadets and 29 engineer cadets have shortage of officers for sea-going ships school graduates to join the shipping completed the training under the is still apparent and will continue to industry. scheme while 45 deck cadets and seven haunt ship managers over the next A cadet may also apply for engineer cadets are undergoing the decade. the reimbursement of the first training. The sea-going career is not Speaking at the 20th Anniversary examination fee after passing the Class dominated by male as there are eight of the Maritime Services Training 3 examination. female cadets joining the scheme. Institute cum Grand Opening of New Since its inception, 120 cadets APEC APSN discusses port cooperation to enhance efficiency The Asia Pacific Economic Co- The APSN Council operation (APEC) Port Services Net- approved 21 applicants work (APSN) Extraordinary Council from the industry to Meeting held in Vancouver, Canada, become the regular between May 4 and 6 successfully members and the organi- recruited partners from the maritime sation of a workshop for industry as its regular members, and training senior managers gave views to make the operations of of port facility security. the ports in the APEC region more The Council also efficient and effective. endorsed the publica- The Director of Marine, Mr Roger tion of a Report on Asia Tupper, and General Manager/ Pacific Port Development Those attending the APEC APSN Extraordinary Council meeting Shipping Registry & Seafarers, Mr for 2007, the information pose for a photograph. K F Chick, took part in the APSN of which was provided by meeting in which the cooperation Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong transport industry is to be deve- among the ports in the APEC region Kong, Japan and Thailand. loped and the contribution from the for enhancing their operational Also, a database containing industry will help the development efficiency was discussed. information useful to the marine of the database. continued from page 1 HK int’l pact on ship recycling adopted Messages: The Vice Minister of Transport, Mr Xu Zuyaun, was very pleased that the IMO diplomatic con- ter remain open for accession by any ference on ship recycling was held in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s state. It will enter into force 24 months Republic of China. He was honoured to lead the Chinese delegation to the conference and work after the date on which 15 States, with the delegates from member States and the international organisations concerned, making representing 40 percentage of world appropriate contribution to the sustainable development of the ship recycling industry. merchant shipping by gross tonnage, The Secretary-General of the IMO, Mr Mitropoulos, thanked the Central People’s Government have either signed it without reser- of China and the Chief Executive for inviting the IMO to this vibrant and fascinating city, and also vation as to ratification, acceptance for bearing the substantial cost of moving the IMO staff over here and providing logistics support or approval or have deposited instru- in the preparation and running of the conference. They really did pull out all the stops to ensure ments of ratification, acceptance, ap- its success and to make the stay here very pleasant. “To name the convention just adopted after proval or accession with the Secretary- this great city was the least we could do in return,” he noted. General. Furthermore, the combined The Director of the Marine Environment Division of the IMO, Mr Miguel Palormares, congratu- maximum annual ship recycling vol- lated the Marine Department (MD) for the faultless organisation and the splendid facilities pro- ume of those states must, during the vided for the conference, and hoped the efforts were given the credit deserved for the success. He preceding 10 years, constitute not less also conveyed thanks to the MD for making it possible for the convention to be a reality and for than three per cent of their combined paving the way towards the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships in future. merchant shipping tonnage. 2 HONG KONG MARITIME NEWS PolyU’s facilities named after HK proud to shipping magnate Dr Frank Tsao play host to first On May 4, the Hong Kong and research. IMO conference Polytechnic University (PolyU) named The centre will consult and in Asia its Maritime Library and Research & co-operate with the Hong Kong Development Centre after shipping Maritime Industry Council and the The Secretary for Transport magnate Dr Frank in appreciation of Marine Department on research and and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, said the IMC Hong Kong International development initiatives to meet the that Hong Kong was proud to play Shipping and Transport Logistics industry needs. host to the first IMO diplomatic Foundation Limited’s financial Speaking at the opening ceremony conference in Asia and witness support. of the centre, PolyU Council its fruitful conclusion. The foundation has donated $10 Chairman, Mr Victor Lo, said: “I am “We are truly honoured and million towards the centre to provide sure students and faculties using the delighted by the IMO’s resolu- resources for students, academics and facilities will be very grateful to Dr tion to name the convention as the maritime community for further Tsao’s contributions.” the ‘Hong Kong Convention’ as advancement in education, training a token of appreciation to Hong Kong,” she said at the signing Plague unveiling ceremony of the convention. ceremony to Ms Cheng said: “This signifi- mark PolyU’s facilities named cant international convention after Dr Frank provides a single regulatory plat- Tsao. form needed to address safety, health and environmental issues in the disposal of end-of-life ships.