254 Transport
providing a great variety of quality maritime services, ranging from ship agency and management, ship owning and operation, ship broking, marine insurance to inland water transport.
Other related services such as legal services, arbitration, ship financing, ship registration and ship surveying are also available. Hong Kong is the world's eighth largest maritime centre. Its ship owners own, manage or operate more than 1 500 vessels, or over eight per cent of the world's merchant fleet in terms of deadweight tonnage.
Some of the world's largest and oldest shipping companies are based in Hong Kong providing professional services not only to Hong Kong-registered ships but also to ships calling here. Other international maritime service providers have also set up offices in Hong Kong, providing various supplies and support services including ship maintenance and repair, bunkering, ship replenishment, waste disposal, information technology and communication services, auditing and tax advisory services, and training services. The shipping and maritime sectors contribute significantly to Hong Kong's economy and the job market.
Hong Kong is proactive in negotiating double taxation relief arrangements covering shipping income with its trading partners. It has so far succeeded in making such arrangements with 15 tax administrations, including the Mainland, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam.
Port Administration
The Marine Department administers the port. Its principal task is to ensure safety of navigation and efficiency of shipping activities in Hong Kong waters. This is achieved through comprehensive traffic management, harbour patrols, vessel traffic services, provision of mooring buoys and strict enforcement of rules and standards of the major international maritime conventions.
The department liaises closely with shipping and commercial organisations through a number of advisory and consultative committees. Through these channels, users and operators of port facilities can advise the Government on port administration matters. The Port Operations Committee advises on all matters related to efficient operation of the port, the Pilotage Advisory Committee on all matters related to pilotage services, and the Port Area Security Advisory Committee on port security.
In addition, the Local Vessels Advisory Committee deals with matters related to local vessels, while the Shipping Consultative Committee advises on the operation of the Hong Kong Shipping Register (HKSR) and Hong Kong's participation in the International Maritime Organisation.
The department's website (www.mardep.gov.hk) provides a wide range of information on the port and the HKSR, such as Marine Department notices and details of the department's services and facilities.