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In recognition of efforts by shipowners and shipping companies for best performance during the past year, awards and commemorative plaques were presented during an annual luncheon jointly hosted by the Marine Department and the Hong Kong Shipowners Association today (April 18).
The Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Transport), Mr Francis Ho, presented a special plaque to CSC Nanjing Tanker Corporation whose ship MV Bai Lu Zhou brought the Hong Kong Shipping Register above the 50 million gross tonnage mark on May 20, 2010.
The Chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, Mr Kenneth Koo, presented the Green Awards in recognition of the efforts made by shipowners and shipping companies to protect the environment. This year's Green Awards went to Maersk (HK) Shipping Ltd, Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd, Chellaram Shipping Ltd, Fleet Management Ltd and Shanghai Costamare Co Ltd.
The Director of Marine, Mr Roger Tupper, presented awards to the best five performers in port state control inspections by various Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regions and the United States Coast Guard. This year's best performers, who have ships on the Hong Kong Shipping Register, were Anglo-Eastern Ship Management Ltd, COSCO (HK) Shipping Co Ltd, Pacific Basin Shipping (HK) Ltd, Fleet Management Ltd and Oriental Overseas Container Line Ltd.
In March this year, a major earthquake and devastating tsunami hit the northeastern coast of Japan. In the wake of the tsunami, the masters and crews of two Hong Kong-registered vessels, MV Flanders Tenacity and MV Port Pegasus, had managed to take their vessels safely out from the waters in the region. The Under Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Yau Shing-mu, presented accolade plaques to them for their team efforts and exemplary seamanship.
Addressing the event, the Convener of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council, Mr Leung Chun-ying, pointed out that the current National Five-year Plan had clearly shown the country's support to help Hong Kong to elevate its status as an international shipping centre. While Mr Leung said that Hong Kong could continue to enhance usefulness and competitiveness of Hong Kong's container terminals and port facilities, he emphasised the city should develop maritime services at the same time to cope with growing shipping activities in the Mainland.
The Hong Kong Shipping Register, set up in 1990, celebrated its 20th Anniversary last year. It now stands at almost 59 million gross tons and is one of the four largest registers in the world.
Ends/Monday, April 18, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:11
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