New law: Director of Marine Roger Tupper says local legislation to put into effect the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships Annex VI will be completed by year's-end.

Cargo throughput at Hong Kong port has been rising in the past decade, with gross tonnage of ships registered in the city now topping 35 million, Director of Marine Roger Tupper says.

Speaking at the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding Port State Control Committee 17th meeting in Hong Kong today Mr Tupper said Hong Kong will continue take an active role in port state control and in activities of the Tokyo MOU.

"Since the set up of the Tokyo MOU, fruitful results on port state control have been achieved through the effective co-operation of our member authorities. Over the past 12 years the number of inspections of Tokyo MOU has more than doubled from 8,834 to 21,686 vessels and the detention rate has dropped from 5.93% to 5.40%," he said.

Favourable environment

During the past decade the global maritime industry has been operating under a very favourable business environment and large numbers of new ships have been built to meet this market in recent years. The situation is forecast to continue in the next few years based on yard orders.

"In Hong Kong, the cargo throughput of our port continues to increase and the gross tonnage of ships registered in Hong Kong has now topped 35 million. While having benefited from the growth of the industry, our work and duties towards the industry are also on the increase. In this regard we have to optimise our effort in a more focused manner in order to discharge our responsibilities more effectively, both as a flag state and a port state," Mr Tupper said.

"For Hong Kong registered ships, we have enforced the Flag State Quality Control Scheme to enhance the quality of our fleet since 1999, now backed up by our Pre-Registration Quality Control Scheme. With regard to Port State Control our ship selection system has proved to be effective in targeting substandard ships for inspection.

Future work

"On the ratification of new international conventions, our local legislation to give effect to International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships Annex VI is expected to be completed by end of this year. Also we are vigorously carrying out all the necessary preparation works for the ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention in order that we would be ready for its entering into force in a few years' time."

To mark the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Marine Department is organising cerebration activities, such as exhibitions and promotion seminars, jointly with the local maritime industry to promote the trade's image and importance.