Transport 253
The department's local traffic control station at Kwai Chung Container Terminal 8 operates round the clock. Equipped with a dedicated patrol launch, the station provides navigational assistance to vessels in the vicinity of the Kwai Chung-Tsing Yi container port area.
Carriage of Dangerous Goods
The department conducts random shipboard inspections of vessels in Hong Kong. waters in accordance with international and local standards. The dangerous goods legislation is being revised to conform with the new requirements of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code.
Pilotage Service
Pilotage is compulsory in Hong Kong waters for vessels of 3 000 gross tonnes and more, oil tankers of 1 000 gross tonnes and more, and all gas carriers.
The Director of Marine is the pilotage authority, who regulates and monitors pilotage services with the assistance of the Pilotage Advisory Committee, The committee's membership covers a wide spectrum of port users and shipping interests. Pilotage services are provided round the clock throughout the year by a commercial company.
Local Vessels
In 2007, 14 000 local vessels including passenger, cargo, fishing and pleasure vessels — were licensed in Hong Kong to provide a variety of efficient services for the port and the community. To improve the licensing and management of these vessels, the new Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance was enacted and came into force in the early part of 2007.
Hydrographic Service
The Hydrographic Office carries out hydrographic surveys and produces nautical charts and publications in Chinese and English. It also produces Electronic Navigational Charts. It issues Notices to Mariners for updating the charts once every two weeks, and also provides real-time information about tides, tidal stream and Ma Wan transit tidal window predictions through the Internet (www.hydro.gov.hk).
Planning, Development and Port Security
The department's Planning, Development and Port Security Branch provides professional advice on port and marine projects, and coordinates publicity on all marine development works. These include developments in Tuen Mun Area 38, Central, Wan Chai, Southeast Kowloon and Tseung Kwan O, and the proposed new link to cities in the Pearl River Delta.
The branch is also the executive arm of the designated authority for implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code of the International Maritime Organisation for port facilities in Hong Kong. Its tasks include monitoring security exercises and drills conducted at the port facilities and carrying out annual audits of port facility security arrangements.