TNAG-2308-FCO40-3345-Future-of-Hong-Kong-shipping-register-1991 — Page 168

82

also Hong Kong's importance in international shipping is

disproportionate to the size of its population or

economic base. Hong Kong shipowners control about 10%

of the world's dead weight tonnage. Some of this

tonnage is registered in Hong Kong but most is under

flags of convenience.

11.4.

A new and viable register, requiring high

standards of ships and crew yet with genuine links to

Hong Kong could lead to "repatriation" of some of the

shipping at present owned from Hong Kong yet registered

elsewhere. The effect of this would be to draw more

closely together the public and private sectors of the

industry and facilitate the provision of a constructive

Hong Kong input into world shipping policies and

procedures. At the same time it would facilitate a

two-way flow of information, guidance and advice between

the regulatory bodies, shipowners and operators.

11.5.

The International Conventions which are the

product of IMO deliberations are invariably the basis

for Hong Kong Merchant Shipping legislation which will

apply to ships included in the new register. It is

important that Hong Kong is in a position to participate

at the IMO at the policy stage and before the

commencement of this legislative process.