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The Government today (January 14) published in the Gazette two sets of amendment regulation to reduce 24 marine-related fees and charges for services provided by the Marine Department. If approved by the Legislative Council, the new fees will come into effect on March 12, 2011.
The two sets of amendment regulation are the Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Regulation 2011 and the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2011.
The Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Regulation 2011 will reduce the port facilities and light dues by about 20% for ocean-going vessels and by about 22% for high-speed passenger craft plying within the river trade limits.
The Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2011 will reduce the examination fees for Certificates of Competency of all classes of deck and marine engineer officers by about 20%.
The Government reviews the levels of marine-related fees and charges regularly according to the "user pays" principle and a recent costing review showed that there is room for reducing the above fees and charges, which number 24 in total.
A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said, "The reductions, like similar ones implemented in recent years, are just one of the measures to enhance the competitiveness of the Hong Kong Port and our maritime industry.
"In particular, the proposed examination fee reduction represents further efforts of the Government to encourage more talent to pursue careers in the maritime sector. The status of Hong Kong as an international maritime centre will be strengthened if a stronger and larger pool of marine professionals is available."
The reductions, if implemented, will reduce Government revenue by about $46.4 million per annum.
The Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2011 will also delete six obsolete fee items relating to oral examinations for seafarers' licences, which are no longer held.
Both sets of amendment regulation will be tabled at the Legislative Council on January 19.
Ends/Friday, January 14, 2011
Issued at HKT 13:01
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