XN000022-1995-12-22 — Page 12

-

11.

A step further to combat pollution from ships

The Marine Department is taking another step to further safeguard the marine environment against pollution by garbage from ships.

A set of new measures is stipulated in the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Garbage) Regulation which was gazelled today (Friday). The regulation specifies the control and disposal of garbage from ships and requires the setting up of garbage reception facilities.

Based on the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, these measures apply to both Hong Kong registered ships wherever they may be and other ships while they are within the waters of Hong Kong.

"With more than 185,000 ships using the our port every year, the regulation will provide additional safeguards against dumping of garbage within the waters of Hong Kong," the Assistant Director of Marine (Port Services), Mr Tsang Man-ching, said.

"It gives us a proper legal framework to ensure adequate protection of Hong Kong waters against pollution by garbage from ships," he added.

"Through provision of reception facilities by the private sector, or through augmentation of existing garbage collection services from ships the problem of floating refuse and hence pollution in Hong Kong waters, should be further alleviated."

"Adopting these international practices will also facilitate Hong Kong registered ship to trade freely with other ports whose administrations have implemented the same convention and demonstrate internationally Hong Kong's determination to preserve a cleaner marine environment." Mr Tsang continued.

The Marine Department will require an annual provision of $10 million for hiring of vessels to collect refuse from ships and for meeting other operational expenses following the implementation of the regulation.

End