Benefits
CONFIDENTIAL
8
14.
Hong Kong is a prominent centre for shipowning
and management activities. As of March 1989, the total
gross tonnage of shipping registered in Hong Kong was
6,508,578 tons. This large fleet of merchant ships
contributes significantly to Hong Kong's economy.
is indispensable for the
Efficient
radiocommunication
operation and management of the ships registered in Hong
Kong and an increasing number of ships are relying on the
INMARSAT facilities for efficient communications at sea.
15.
INMARSAT,
Participation in the activities of
particularly attendance by representatives of the C & W
Group at INMARSAT meetings, has enabled those representing
Hong Kong's interests to participate in, and to influence
the development of the Organisation in the fields of
planning, technology, operations and management. It has
also enabled those representing Hong Kong to protect Hong
Kong's interests.
16.
Because the Hong Kong TA operates as a "routing
organisation", it can deal with applications by Hong Kong
earth stations to use the INMARSAT space segment without
involving the UK or its Signatory. This speeds up the
processing of such applications and is of great benefit to
the large number of Hong Kong registered ships relying on
efficient
INMARSAT for
communications
at
sea.
Such