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Reductions in 24 marine-related fees and charges for services provided by the Marine Department will come into effect this Saturday (March 12).
The two sets of amendment regulation involved are the Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Regulation 2011 and the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2011.
Under the Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Regulation 2011, port facilities and light dues will be reduced by about 20% for ocean-going vessels and by about 22% for high-speed passenger craft plying within the river trade limits.
Under the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2011, examination fees for Certificates of Competency of all classes of deck officers and marine engineer officers will be reduced by about 20%. In addition, six obsolete fee items relating to oral examinations for seafarers' licences no longer held will also be deleted.
The above reductions will reduce Government revenue by about $46.4 million per annum.
A Marine Department spokesman said that the fee reductions have been made possible by the department's continuous efforts to achieve higher efficiency and a lower cost of providing the services through streamlining operational procedures and requirements and promoting the wider use of electronic applications.
"In particular, the examination fee reduction represents further efforts of the Administration to encourage more talented individuals to pursue a career in the maritime sector. The status of Hong Kong as an international maritime centre would undoubtedly be strengthened should a stronger and larger pool of marine professionals be available," the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, March 10, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:04
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