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The Government is to table two new Regulations at the Legislative Council to comply with the requirements of an international convention in preventing pollution to marine environment by ships. These two new Regulations are the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Sewage) Regulation ("Sewage Regulation") and the Merchant Shipping (Prevention and Control of Pollution)(Fees) Regulation ("Fees Regulation").

A spokesperson for the Economic Development and Labour Bureau said today (January 14) that the Sewage Regulation, made under the Merchant Shipping (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Ordinance, seeks to give effect to the requirements of Annex IV to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)73/78. The Fees Regulation is made to charge fees in relation to the survey and certification services provided by government surveyors under the Sewage Regulation.

"MARPOL Annex IV requires certain ships engaged in international voyages to be surveyed and have on board an International Sewage Pollution Prevention (ISPP) Certificate issued by its flag Administration or organisation recognised by the Administration to ensure that they are equipped with necessary facilities on board," the spokesperson said.

"To keep in line with international standards, the Government is obliged to make the Sewage Regulation to implement MARPOL Annex IV in Hong Kong.

"Timely implementation of such international requirements will reinforce Hong Kong's status as an international maritime centre. Without a valid ISPP Certificate, Hong Kong registered ships may be denied entry to the ports of the States Parties to MARPOL Annex IV," the spokesperson said.

According to the Sewage Regulation, Hong Kong registered ocean-going ships and non-Hong Kong registered ocean-going ships within Hong Kong waters which are of 400 gross tonnage or above, or of less than 400 gross tonnage which are certified to carry more than 15 persons will be prohibited from discharging untreated sewage into Hong Kong waters. In line with MARPOL Annex IV requirements, Hong Kong will also provide reception facilities to meet the needs of ships for sewage disposal. Collection services will be provided by private sewage collectors who will transfer the collected sewage from ships to the government designated treatment plants ashore for proper treatment and onward disposal.

In Hong Kong, the Marine Department is responsible for conducting surveys and issuing ISPP Certificates to compliant ships. The Fees Regulation will empower the Director of Marine to charge fees on a cost recovery basis from the ship operators for providing such services.

The two Regulations were gazetted today (January 14) and will be tabled at the Legislative Council on January 19.

Ends/Friday, January 14, 2005

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