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The Merchant Shipping (Safety) (Amendment) Bill 2009 will be gazetted on May 15, 2009. The major objective of the bill is to pave the way for timely implementation of marine safety-related international conventions under the Merchant Shipping (Safety) Ordinance.
A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said today (May 13), "Hong Kong has an international obligation to implement the latest amendments to marine safety-related conventions adopted by the International Maritime Organisation and applicable to Hong Kong. The bill proposes the adoption of a direct reference approach in making subsidiary legislation under the Merchant Shipping (Safety) Ordinance to achieve timely implementation of international marine safety-related conventions applicable to Hong Kong. The amendment is supported by the shipping industry."
Marine safety-related conventions are mainly implemented through the Merchant Shipping (Safety) Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation. Under the existing ordinance, its subsidiary legislation has to be re-written from time to time to spell out the amendments to these international conventions. There is thus always a time gap between the amendments made to the international standards and the corresponding amendments to local legislation.
The bill also proposes to adapt, remove or replace outdated references and streamline administrative procedures.
The bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council on May 27, 2009.
Ends/Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:01
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