XN000022-1983-10-23 — Page 2

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1983

HONG KONG SEEKING TO JOIN CONVENTION ON MARINE POLLUTION

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THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS DECIDED IN THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG TO SEEK EXTENSION TO THE TERRITORY OF AN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON SEA POLLUTION.

THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION FROM SHIPS 1973, AS MODIFIED BY THE PROTOCOL OF 1978, AIMS TO ELIMINATE COMPLETELY THE DELIBERATE OR NEGLIGENT DISCHARGE OF OIL AND OTHER HARMFUL SUBSTANCES BY SHIPS.

ALL PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ARE REQUIRED TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE PROVISIONS FOR THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF SUCH POLLUTION.

BRITAIN IS ONE OF THESE PARTIES, AND AS A PORT OF BRITISH REGISTRY, HONG KONG MUST ADOPT UK STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIP REGISTRATION.

+THE IMPLICATIONS ARE THAT IF HONG KONG DOES NOT COMPLY WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS TO WHICH UK IS A PARTY, IT COULD LOSE ITS STATUS AS A PORT OF BRITISH REGISTRY.

+FAILURE TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE CONVENTION AND THE PROTOCOL COULD ALSO RESULT IN HONG KONG BEING LABELLED AS A 'FLAG OF CONVENIENCE TERRITORY, WITH THE CONNOTATION OF SUB-STANDARD SHIPPING AND RUNNING GREATER RISKS OF SANCTIONS BY PORT STATES AND SEAMEN'S UNIONS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

WITHOUT JOINING THE CONVENTION, HONG KONG CANNOT ISSUE VALID INTERNATIONAL OIL POLLUTION PREVENTION CERTIFICATES TO ITS OCEAN- GOING SHIPS EVEN IF THEY COMPLY WITH THE STANDARDS OF THE CONVENTION.

THESE SHIPS WILL THEN BE LIABLE TO DETENTION FOR INSPECTION AT THE PORTS OF CONTRACTING PARTIES, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

THE UNITED STATES HAS DECLARED THAT IT WILL REQUIRE ALL SHIPS CALLING AT ITS PORTS TO CONFIRM TO THE STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE CONVENTION.

ALSO, 14 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE PLEDGED UNITY OF ACTION IN GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONVENTION AND THE PROTOCOL.

+TO AVOID THE PORTS OF THOSE COUNTRIES WOULD REDUCE THE BUSINESS PROSPECTS AND COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG-REGISTERED SHIPS IN THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING MARKET, ESPECIALLY SINCE MANY OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES ARE MAJOR TRADING NATIONS, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.

EXTENSION OF THE CONVENTION TO HONG KONG WILL ALSO HELP ENSURE THAT SHIPS CALLING AT THE PORT HERE DO NOT POSE ANY UNREASONABLE POLLUTION THREAT.

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