TNAG-2308-FCO40-3345-Future-of-Hong-Kong-shipping-register-1991 — Page 130

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(iii) the freedoms sought by the HKSOA are

likely to reflect those offered in

jurisdictions where the vast majority of

its ships are registered but which are

generally regarded as flags of

convenience;

(iv) the more similar the new system is to the

old, the greater its chance of acceptance

by the UK, China and the rest of the

international community;

(v)

the tonnage on the register will

inevitably fluctuate due to various

external pressures and revenue will be

unpredictable. The same basic

infrastructure (mostly of staff for

survey, recording etc.) will, however, be

required. The existing system could cope

better with the problem.

5.9.

The principal drawback of the existing system

is its inability, as part of a centrally controlled