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 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, , Chinese Taipei, Hong transport industry is to be deve- among the ports in the APEC region Kong, Japan and . 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. “It will help protect the health of workers in recycling yards, reduce damage to the environ- ment and be instrumental to the sustainable development of the Port of HK Handbook & Directory 2009 published shipping industry worldwide.” The Hong Kong Shipping A useful and practical guide to the dustry which serves ships calling at Register has just crossed the 41 territory’s port and maritime services, our port as well as the global ship- The Port of Hong Kong Handbook & ping community. million gross-tonnage mark and Directory 2009, has recently been This 72-page handbook pro- our shipowners own, manage or published, and free copies are now vides facts and information in- operate nearly 10% of the world’s available to cluding the statistics of the merchant fleet tonnage. i nt e r e s t e d port, the Hong Kong Shipping She noted: “Our shipping in- parties. Registry, the Hong Kong Shipowners dustry has been an active and The full- Association, shipping companies, responsible member of the global colour Eng- terminal operators, ship finance, shipping community, and Hong lish booklet maritime law, sea-going training Kong will certainly play our part published by and so on. in supporting the regulatory the Seaports Complimentary copies are now framework for ship recycling Publications available for shipping-related based on the convention.” Group with companies, organisations and in- the support dividuals on a first-come, first- “The IMO’s decision to hold of the Marine served basis. If you are interested its diplomatic conference in Asia Department, to get a copy of the handbook, here in Hong Kong underlines gives up-to-date information on please send your request by e-mail again Hong Kong’s status as an the port of Hong Kong, one of the to [email protected]. You international maritime centre,” world's busiest ports and a major can also read the publication at said Ms Cheng. international maritime centre, and http://www.seaportsinfo.com/ Hong Kong's dynamic maritime in- portofhongkong/

3 HONG KONG MARITIME NEWS IMO diplomatic conference – a vote of confidence in HK The Central People’s Govern- last December. ment, in bringing the IMO diplomatic This led to can- conference on ship recycling to Hong cellation of orders Kong between May 11 and 15 has and laying up of given a huge vote of confidence to the ships. In parallel, Chief Executive Donald Tsang addresses the conference. territory as an international maritime the financial crisis centre, the Chief Executive, Mr combined with Donald Tsang, said at the opening of market conditions for shipping has led and recycling them at the end or the conference. to resurgence in recycling activity. near the end of their lifespans is Mr Tsang congratulated the IMO The ship recycling industry employs a more environmentally-friendly and all its member States on their work hundreds of thousands of workers, way to alleviate the supply-demand on reducing risk and improving the and also provides indirect employ- imbalances. efficiency of marine transport over the ment to downstream industries “Also, new guidelines on ship years. The new convention is another such as maritime services, the steel recycling will alter the design, con- major step forward in a collective industry, re-rolling mills and furnace struction, operation and preparation effort to make the shipping industry plants. At the same time, the industry of ships to facilitate safer and more safer and environmentally sound. He also provides a good source of raw environmentally sound recycling. noted that global concern for the en- materials for infrastructure and capital The two processes are therefore inter- vironment demanded early voluntary projects in many countries which can active and complementary,” said Mr implementation of the measures and be effectively recycled. Tsang. requirements in the new conven- Ships used in marine transport are Mr Tsang noted that the convention tion. He could assure that Hong Kong normally designed with an average life served two key purposes: First, it would play its part. span of some 20 to 30 years. Hundreds helped protect the health of workers As the financial crisis has dramati- of ships reach the end of their service in recycling yards, and second, it cally re-shaped the shipping industry’s lives every year. Recycling steel is reduced damage to the environment. landscape and the world economy, particularly cost effective. At the These ould w also have a direct bear- and within a few months, the Baltic same time, the shipping industry is ing on the sustainable growth of the Drybulk Index at a record high fell to now facing unprecedented challenges shipping industry in future. a record low of just over 660 points with surplus tonnage in many sectors, MD, Mainland registers of fishing vessels hold 4th regular meeting

The Marine Department (MD), Both sides took the opportunity the Register of Fishing Vessels of the to explain to Hong Kong fishermen’s People’s Republic of China (RFV) and representatives the procedures of the Guangdong Register of Fishing delegating the survey work, survey Vessels held their 4th regular meeting standards and arrangement for charges. in Hong Kong on April 15 to review The promotional fishing activities were co-operation matters and the progress well received and helped alleviate con- in work during the past year. cerns on the delegation of survey work. In 2008, under the arrange- The delegation of survey work for The Director of Marine, Mr Roger Tupper, presenting a souvenir to the Director-General ment made by the RFV and MD for wooden fishing vessels was officially of the Register of Fishing Vessels of PRC, Mr delegating survey work, the Guang- implemented in January, 2009. Since Zhou Tong . dong Register of Fishing Vessels then, the Guangdong Register of Fish- successfully inspected several steel and ing Vessels has carried out surveys for such as the category of vessels and in- fibre-glass hull vessels in accordance 15 Hong Kong licensed wooden fish- spection details, should be determined with the MD’s technical requirements. ing vessels. beforehand. To promote the delegation of survey Both sides also agreed to enhance The two sides agreed on the need work for wooden fishing vessels, the the direct communication with fisher- to provide authorised surveyors with Guangdong Register of Fishing Vessels men’s representatives and to increase inspection guidelines in order to and the MD jointly inspected several the capacity and locations of joint enhance their efficiency and to meet wooden fishing vessels in Yangguang, inspections. Moreover, it was agreed the survey standards drawn up by the Zhuhai and Shanwei in late 2008. that the focus of each joint inspection, MD.

4 HONG KONG MARITIME NEWS Important issues discussed at regular meeting of MD and MSA of PRC

The Marine Department (MD) and the Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) of the People’s Republic of China held a regular meeting in Hong Kong on March 19 to exchange views and enhance coordination and cooperation, in pursuit of improving maritime safety and protecting the marine environment. The MSA delegation was led by the Executive Director-General, Capt Liu Gongchen, together with seven members including the Director- General of Guangdong MSA and the Director-General of Shenzhen MSA. Issues discussed included the ratification and implementation of International Maritime Organization The officials of the Marine Department and the Maritime Safety Administration of the PRC pictured (IMO) instruments including the after holding the regular meeting. Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to Pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances, 2000 (OPRC-HNS Protocol); International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI amendments; voluntary IMO member State audit scheme; Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC) 1996 Protocol; the Long Range Identification and Tracking System (LRIT); Bunker Convention; Anti- Fouling Systems (AFS) Convention and The Marine Department and the Maritime Safety Administration of the PRC exchange views. the International Labour Organization (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention. Operational issues such as hosting the IMO diplomatic conference on HKSR crossing 41M GT mark ship recycling in Hong Kong, navy protection provision for Hong Kong The gross registered tonnage stood at 41 millions in late April. ships in the Gulf of Aden, the safety (GRT) of Hong Kong registered According to the Danish Ship- of high-speed passenger vessels in the ships on the Hong Kong Shipping owners’ Association, among the Register (HKSR) has crossed the 41 world’s registers, the HKSR, in terms Pearl River Delta, hydrographic survey million mark recently. of the GRT, is in the fifth place and and chart management as well as the Despite the world economic just after Panama, Liberia, Bahamas International Association of Marine crisis, the GRT of the HKSR crossed and the Marshall Islands. Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse the 40 million mark on January 15, In the sustainable development Authorities (IALA) matters, were also 2009. We have also seen a growth of of Hong Kong as a world mari- discussed. about one million GRT in the last time centre, the HKSR continues to three and a half months and the GRT target quality ships.

5 HONG KONG MARITIME NEWS HK shipping mission visits

The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, led a 16- member shipping mission to Shanghai on March 26 to promote Hong Kong as an international maritime centre providing comprehensive shipping services, and to enhance maritime industries development of both cities. As the State Council had endorsed speeding up Shanghai’s development into an international maritime centre, Hong Kong's shipping industry experts took the opportunity to share their experience with the Shanghai shipping industry as well as to explore The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, speaking at the “Seminar on Shanghai- how best to complement each other in Hong Kong Interactive Development in Shipping Service Industry”. their strengths. Delegation members included Legislative Councillor Ms Miriam On March 27, the delegation maritime industry, and also examined Lau representing the transport attended the "Seminar on Shanghai- how Hong Kong and Shanghai could con-stituency, and experts in ship Hong Kong Inter-active Development enhance co-operation, achieve owning, ship brokering, ship finance, in Ship-ping Service Industry" hosted synergy and promote the economic maritime insurance, maritime law by the Shanghai Municipal Urban and development of the country. and ship registration. They attended Rural Construction and Transport Ms Cheng and some members of a welcome dinner hosted by the Commission and co-organised by the delegation also discussed ship Shanghai Municipal Urban and Rural the Hong Kong Maritime Industry finance development with Shanghai's Construction and Transportation Council and the Marine Department. banking sector’s representatives at Commission and the Shanghai At the seminar, Ms Cheng and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Municipal Transport and Port other delegation speakers introduced Office in Shanghai. Authority. Hong Kong's competitive edge in the

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Marine Department, Government of Hong Kong 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]

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