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Following is a story in Issue No.2 of Hong Kong Maritime News published by the Marine Department in September 2000:

Maritime Oil Pollution Contingency Plan

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's Marine Department has prepared a new Maritime Oil Spill Response Plan (MOSRP) to comply with standards that are expected of a world-class port.

The plan is in line with the provisions of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation 1990 (OPRC). It replaces an older version, which has been in use since 1974.

The MOSRP aims to ensure a quick and effective response to oil spills in local waters and allows Hong Kong to assist neighbouring ports in the event of a major crisis.

Marine Department officials have already been working closely with the neighbouring ports of Guangdong, Guangzhou, Macau, Shenzhen and Zhuhai to develop a co-ordinated contingency plan to cover the Pearl River and the region in general.

End/Wednesday, September 20, 2000

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