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The Government published three pieces of subsidiary legislation in the Gazette today (November 18), namely, the Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Regulation 2005, the Shipping and Port Control Regulations (Amendment of Seventh Schedule) Notice 2005, and the Merchant Shipping (Registration) (Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Regulation 2005.
A Government spokesman said, "The three pieces of subsidiary legislation will help enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness as a major hub port in the Asia-Pacific region."
He added, "The Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Regulation 2005 will reduce the anchorage dues and port facilities and light dues to lower the operating cost of a ship calling at Hong Kong. It will also introduce a new fee structure for anchorage that charges the dues hourly rather than daily as is the case at present. This will provide ships with an incentive to save costs by minimising their stay at anchorages, and thus alleviating congestion in the Hong Kong harbour.
"The Shipping and Port Control Regulations (Amendment of Seventh Schedule) Notice 2005 will establish five service anchorages in the harbour area and north of Lantau Island to expand the mid-stream cargo-handling capacity to meet the needs of the industry.
"The Merchant Shipping (Registration) (Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Regulation 2005 will introduce a fee reduction scheme for the Annual Tonnage Charge of ships registered under the Hong Kong Shipping Register (HKSR). Under the scheme, a Hong Kong-registered ship will be given a six-month fee reduction for every two years if it has not been detained during that period. The measure will encourage a long-term and stable registration under the HKSR and promote the HKSR as a quality register.
The subsidiary legislation will be tabled in the Legislative Council on Wednesday (November 23).
Ends/Friday, November 18, 2005
Issued at HKT 11:01
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