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In response to media enquiries on the Merchant Shipping (Limitation of Shipowners Liability) (Amendment) Ordinance 2005, a spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said today (October 2):
"The Merchant Shipping (Limitation of Shipowners Liability) (Amendment) Ordinance 2005 aims to revise the limits of shipowners' liability in respect of loss of life and property claims stipulated in the Merchant Shipping (Limitation of Shipowners Liability) Ordinance (Cap 434) to bring them in line with the liability limits stipulated in the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976. The liability limits apply only to owners of ships involved in accidents. The amendment ordinance will be implemented after procedures for formal notification of Hong Kong's joining the 1996 Protocol have been completed. Claims filed by families of the victims of the vessel collision near Lamma Island on October 1 last year against other people involved in the incident will not be affected by this ordinance. The families of victims may seek legal advice on matters related to such claims."
Ends/Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:55
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