Following is a question by the Hon Benson Luk and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (September 10):

Question:

     In the second quarter of this year, the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration issued the Implementation Plan for the Free Flow of Yachts among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao (Draft for Comments) (the Plan) with the aim of promoting the synergistic development of the yacht industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and facilitating the flow of yachts in the GBA. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether the SAR Government has plans to formulate measures to dovetail with the proposals for the free flow of yachts in the Plan, so as to expedite the promotion of the yacht industry's development in Hong Kong; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(2) whether it has plans to permit non-Hong Kong yachts to enter and exit Hong Kong waters for multiple times within a specified period upon entering Hong Kong without having to undergo port formalities again, and to hold discussions with the Government of Guangdong Province on streamlining the immigration arrangements for yachts, so that non-Hong Kong yachts with the permission to enter Hong Kong waters may also sail to other Mainland cities in the GBA; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(3) whether it has plans to streamline the existing immigration and customs clearance procedures for yacht crew and passengers entering and exiting Hong Kong, such as streamlining the existing requirement that yacht masters or their agents must undergo formalities such as immigration inspection and customs declaration at different locations; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(4) given that under the law, non-Hong Kong yachts must obtain the permission of the Director of Marine in order to navigate in Hong Kong waters, whether the authorities have plans to streamline the vetting and approval procedures for such vessels to navigate in Hong Kong waters; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(5) of the ways to motivate enterprises to organise more yacht exhibitions and sales fairs in Hong Kong, and to attract more overseas and Mainland yacht builders and manufacturers of yacht accessories to establish branch offices in Hong Kong, so as to promote the development of the yacht industry?

Reply:

President,

     In response to the inquiry raised by the Hon Benson Luk, after consulting the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB), the Security Bureau, the Development Bureau, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Marine Department (MD), the reply is as follows:

(1) The CSTB supports the development and co-operation of yacht tourism in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with a view to expanding and promoting high value-added tourism activities in Hong Kong and demonstrating the role of Hong Kong as a core demonstration zone for multi-destination tourism. The MD and the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration have established a dedicated task force to maintain discussion and co-operation on various issues relating to facilitation of yacht travelling, including the "yacht free travel" proposal put forward by Guangdong Province, and to jointly formulate relevant implementation measures. 

(2) and (3) At present, visiting yachts (including those from the Mainland) entering Hong Kong waters are required to complete port formalities with the MD, the Immigration Department (ImmD), the Department of Health (DH) and the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department. Generally speaking, local agents would be appointed to handle all the port formalities in Hong Kong for visiting yachts. The MD has set up an electronic business system to provide one-stop service for visiting yachts, allowing them to submit the required documents to the MD, the ImmD and the DH through the online system in an efficient and convenient manner. At the same time, visiting yachts are currently not required to be anchored at an approved immigration anchorage whilst awaiting immigration clearance. The master of a visiting yacht, or its agent, is only required to complete the immigration procedures at the Harbour Control Section of the ImmD (which operates 24 hours every day) located at the Central Government Pier within 24 hours after entering into Hong Kong waters and before the intended departure from the Hong Kong waters. The aforementioned arrangements, which is not applicable to other visiting vessels, aim at simplifying and facilitating the immigration procedures for visiting yachts.  

     Relevant bureaux and departments will continue to review and improve the relevant arrangements, with a view to facilitating the formulation of a more holistic yacht industrial policy in the future.

(4) In accordance with international practice, foreign yachts must complete port formalities and obtain permission from local government authorities before navigating in local waters. Hong Kong is no exception.

     Currently, visiting yachts wishing to navigate freely in Hong Kong waters must submit proof of securing a berth at a private yacht club or marina when applying for entry. Additionally, the yacht's crew members must not only meet the requirements of their country of registry but also pass a local port knowledge examination. The purpose of this examination is to ensure that crew members of visiting yachts are familiar with local fairways, anchorages, speed restriction zones, ferry routes, navigation aids, and other relevant information, thereby ensuring the safe navigation of the yacht within Hong Kong waters and the safety of other port users.

     The MD is exploring whether there is scope to relax requirements or introduce facilitation measures to enhance the navigation experience for visiting yachts in Hong Kong waters.

(5) The Transport and Logistics Bureau is pleased to collaborate with relevant departments and organisations to provide advice to the industry on the development of yacht exhibitions and sales. For example, over the past year, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has from time to time hosted large-scale events to brief the business community on the Airport City development blueprint Skytopia, which includes a yacht bay development offering over 500 berths. The AAHK has also participated in overseas yacht exhibitions and conferences, etc.  

Ends/Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:01

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