CODE 18-77
Mr. Wood, MAED
3.U. to Mr. Willia
26/3.
HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER
1.
Mr Williamsel
8
"Can't sexy-agding
HKK 175 helpful to or Goodingen?
RJMR
14/3 RECALS
M
Thank you for sending me a copy of Shipping Policy Division's minute of 7 March on the pros and cons of fong Kong's setting up its own separate register.
ms 8263 1/4 32621
2. Unless the setting up of a separate Hong Kong register would have the effect of disqualifying HK ships under the "British ship' definition of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 so that we should be justified in withdrawing our consular services from them, Consular Department would find such a register disadvantageous. It sounds as though it would attract large numbers of ships which at present are flying Liberian, Panamanian, etc. flags of convenience although beheficially owned by HK companies and citizens. Any such increase in the HK fleet would greatly increase the pressure on our consular officers, who already have enough trouble with ships registered in HK (which frequently do not have British officers or officers who can speak English).
3. Even if such a separate register was "incompatible" with the 1894 Act, however, I wonder whether, because HK is a colony and the UK looks after its external affairs, our consular officers would still end up sorting out problems which arise abroad with its ships and crews? Perhaps the legal adviser might be asked to give an opinion. I am not clear what the situation is with the Bermudan register, but it sounds as though the variation in conditions of registration were ones we could tolerate, since Bermudan ships ap- parently still said under the British flag. I notice that Bermuda has mainly American and Canadian ships on its register.
4.
I am not aware that Consular Department have ever seen the Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1978, which apparently enables the Governor in Council to authorise the employment of aliens as master or officer in a HK ship. I would hope this provision is rarely if ever invoked, but I wonder in what circumstances it might be. If our consular officers are to continue to perform 1894 services for HK ships, it is imperative that the master and senior offices at least should speak English.
5.
All things considered, we would probably find it most disad- vantageous if HK conditions of registry were "liberalised".
12 March 1980
Cc: Mr. Webb, HKGD
0. Goodinson Consular Department