Six items of subsidiary legislation, aimed at ensuring that Hong Kong’s port facilities and related infrastructure meet growing demand for green maritime fuel bunkering services, were published in the Government Gazette today.

The Government proposes to amend Schedule 3 of the Pilotage Ordinance, while also amending five items under the Immigration Ordinance, the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance, and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance.

The five items to be amended are the Immigration (Anchorages and Landing Places) (Amendment) Order, the Dangerous Goods (Shipping) (Amendment) Regulation 2012, the Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Regulation, the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) (Amendment) Regulation, and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation.

The amendments aim to optimise the layout of anchorages and port facilities, significantly expanding the sea room for green maritime fuel bunkering operations from 645 hectares to 2,877 hectares.

Key measures include establishing seven new anchorages, adjusting the boundaries of eight existing anchorages, converting three dangerous goods anchorages or service anchorages into multipurpose anchorages, abolishing two existing anchorages, formalising two existing recommended Traffic Separation Schemes (TSSs) to become local statutory TSSs, and introducing a more trade-friendly fee structure for Government Mooring Buoys.

In addition, the Government proposes to abolish a dangerous goods anchorage and a designated bunkering area located near residential areas, while making corresponding adjustments to other anchorages and designated bunkering areas.

The Transport & Logistics Bureau said that as the international maritime industry accelerates the adoption of green maritime fuels to achieve maritime decarbonisation, these amendments will offer greater convenience to vessels visiting Hong Kong for green maritime fuel bunkering and consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a green maritime fuel bunkering centre.

The bureau has consulted the Legislative Council’s Panel on Economic Development, the Pilotage Advisory Committee, the Port Operations Committee, the Local Vessels Advisory Committee, the High Speed Craft Consultative Committee, the Dangerous Goods Standing Committee, relevant district councils, relevant Rural Committees in the Islands District, and fishermen’s representatives.

All consulted parties either supported the proposals or raised no objections. The proposed amendments will be submitted to LegCo on October 7 for negative vetting.