Hong Kong, China has achieved outstanding results in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member State Audit Scheme, the Transport & Logistics Bureau announced today.

The audit was conducted to examine the relevant obligations Hong Kong fulfilled in relation to the mandatory IMO instruments.

The audit was carried out from November 4 to 13, 2023, and the results, which were recently published, showed the outstanding performance by Hong Kong in multiple audit areas, especially its shipping registry.

The bureau said that the audit result testifies to Hong Kong's commitment to go above and beyond in fulfilling international obligations.

It added that Hong Kong, as an IMO associate member, will continue to maintain its outstanding performance and consolidate its position as a leading international maritime centre.

The bureau also noted that the Hong Kong Shipping Registry ranks fourth in the world in terms of gross tonnage, and the fleet of Hong Kong-registered ships is renowned globally for its good quality.

It highlighted that the consistently low detention rate of Hong Kong-registered ships under worldwide Port State Control inspections at 0.69% is significantly lower than the global average of 3.30%, reflecting Hong Kong’s constant effort in maintaining and enhancing the safety, reliability and credibility of its fleet.

The audit scrutinised Hong Kong in fulfilling its flag, coastal and port obligations.

The audit team appreciated that Hong Kong had well-documented procedures on fulfilling its obligations related to the mandatory IMO instruments, and implemented the relevant requirements through local legislation and guidance dissemination in a timely manner.

The Marine Department (MD) also carried out periodic management reviews as well as internal and external audits for effective implementation of those instruments.

The audit further revealed several areas of positive development and good practices of Hong Kong, which demonstrated a drive to promote safety awareness and a pollution prevention culture among stakeholders in the maritime sector.

One of the good practices is to ensure the compliance of ships flying the Hong Kong flag with the mandatory IMO instruments by requiring their regular and appropriate completion of pre-arrival checklists.

The MD also disseminated useful information through such means as holding regular meetings and seminars with stakeholders, and issuing circulars and Merchant Shipping Information Notes to notify stakeholders of the latest mandatory IMO requirements in a timely manner.

Meanwhile, the audit identified two findings and one observation on areas where Hong Kong could improve, including the need to more comprehensively monitor the communication of mandatory information to the IMO and track the attendance of government surveyors at trainings.

Soon after the audit, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government proposed and took actions, which were accepted by the IMO, to address the findings and observation.