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The Government and the maritime industry have been working together to strengthen Hong Kong's position as a regional hub port and maintain its competitiveness.
Addressing the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council Dinner and the 15th Anniversary Ceremony of the Hong Kong Shipping Register (the Register) today (November 29), the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, said that the Register was a remarkable example of government and business partnership.
To encourage long term and stable registration, Mr Ip said that the Government would introduce a six-month Annual Tonnage Charge waiver for vessels registered under the Register for a continuous period of two years and with no record of detention.
The Government would also reduce licence fees for local vessels, port fees and charges for river trade vessels and ocean-going vessels, as well as anchorages dues. It would also establish more service anchorages to increase the mid-stream cargo handling capacity.
"These measures will be implemented in early 2006 after completing the legislative procedures," Mr Ip said.
Mr Ip said that with a total gross tonnage of 29.6 million, an increase of over 380% since its set up in 1990, the Register had an excellent reputation as a high quality register and continued to attract top quality tonnage.
"We have been providing one-stop service for registration and relevant formalities, free-of-charge Flag State Quality Control Inspection and round-the-clock technical advice to shipowners as well as support to the Hong Kong registered ships whenever and wherever they are," he said.
"The steady increase in our registered tonnage has underpinned the growth of other related maritime sectors and benefited the economy of Hong Kong. The total value of ship financing in Hong Kong has increased by over 200% since the launch of our Register, reaching an amount of HK$26.4 billion in 2004," he added.
"To strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international maritime centre, it is most important to provide a favourable business environment for international maritime service providers using Hong Kong as their base," Mr Ip said.
Hong Kong is now the seventh largest maritime centre in the world. It has some 80 international shipping lines with 450 sailings reaching 500 destinations worldwide. There are about 900 shipping-related companies operating in Hong Kong, providing a great variety of high quality maritime services. While some of the world's largest and oldest ship management companies are based in Hong Kong, other international maritime service providers have also established their presence here, providing various supplies and support services.
Noting the tremendous economic benefit and employment opportunities generated by the shipping and maritime sectors, Mr Ip briefed his audience on the Government¡¦s promotion and training efforts.
On growth opportunities in the Mainland, Mr Ip said local service suppliers were allowed under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) to set up wholly-owned enterprises in the Mainland to operate international ship management services, regular business and shipping agency services for vessels that they own or operate, port cargo loading and unloading services, and international ocean container leasing, buying and selling activities. Feeder transport and towing services have also been opened up to eligible Hong Kong enterprises.
"We would explore new opportunities through exchanges with other maritime centres and participation in the major events in the Mainland," he said.
At today's function, awards were presented to some industry players in appreciation of their contribution and support. They included:
-Anglo-Eastern Ship Management Ltd for managing the highest number of Hong Kong registered ships;
-Hong Kong United Dockyards Limited for being the owner of the ship with the longest registration with the Hong Kong Shipping Register;
-Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited for providing the highest number of financing facility transactions to Hong Kong registered ships;
-Johnson Stokes & Master for dealing with the highest number of ship or mortgage registration cases in Hong Kong;
-Oriental Overseas Container Line Ltd for recruiting the highest number of cadets under the Sea-going Training Incentive Scheme; and
-Shun Tak ¡V China Travel Ship Management Limited for employing the highest number of Hong Kong registered seafarers;
Mr Ip also thanked the industry for its efforts to establish the recently opened Hong Kong Maritime Museum and the Maritime Library which was in the pipeline. He also praised members of the Maritime Industry Council and the Port Development Council for their valuable advice and contribution.
Ends/Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:06
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