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TRANSPORT

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Hong Kong. It is envisaged that this new Hong Kong register of shipping will be set up in the early 1990's. A steering group has been formed by the government to consider detailed proposals in accordance with the general principles.

As regards the present register, the Shipping Division of the Marine Department undertakes the survey and certification of Hong Kong registered vessels under various international conventions, and also provides a plan approval and survey service. Statutory surveys of vessels intended for Hong Kong register are undertaken world-wide by surveyors of the division. Locally, surveyors are made available to British or foreign ships for the issue of certificates under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974, and other international maritime conventions.

A number of such international certificates were issued to foreign flag ships at the request of foreign governments. Additionally, one of the world's largest fleets of high technology dynamically-supported craft, comprising jetfoils, hydrofoils, side wall hovercraft and jetcats, operates from Hong Kong under the survey and certification of the shipping division. With some exceptions, vessels plying within the waters of Hong Kong need to be licensed under the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance. Such vessels are inspected and issued with certificates.

Hong Kong-registered ships maintain a high standard of safety in compliance with the SOLAS convention and its amendments for improved safety measures. This conven- tion is generally regarded as the most important of all international treaties relating to maritime safety.

Hong Kong is a centre for the recruiting of seafarers. The Seamen's Recruiting Office and the Mercantile Marine Office register and supervise the employment of about 7 500 active seafarers on board some 700 ships of many flags. Considerable attention has been given to provide more comprehensive training for Hong Kong seafarers and, in this respect, construction of permanent premises for the Seamen's Training Centre at Tai Lam Chung in the New Territories was completed in the last quarter of the year. The centre now provides pre-sea training courses for new entrants and in-service training for seamen to comply with the requirements of the International Convention on Training and Certification of Seafarers.

The Examination Section conducts a wide range of examinations for persons requiring certificates of competency for service on vessels of all sizes and types operating in local and international waters. The section also monitors all aspects of training at approved establishments for the acquisition of various maritime qualifications recognised by the Hong Kong Government and required by international convention.

A convention of particular significance which is in force internationally and observed by Hong Kong registered vessels, is the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) 1973 as modified by its 1978 Protocol. Hong Kong- registered vessels comply with the requirements of the convention and are issued with International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) certificates. As a result, Hong Kong ships are now able to produce authoritative evidence of compliance with MARPOL, thereby making a positive contribution to the environmental protection of the sea. Moreover, as visiting ships are required to comply with MARPOL standards, the risk of pollution to Hong Kong waters has been reduced.

During the year, Hong Kong also adopted an important annex to the international convention of MARPOL 73/78 (Annex II), which applies to chemical tankers registered or licensed in Hong Kong as well as foreign tankers entering the port of Hong Kong. The new requirements specify strict standards concerning the way in which noxious liquid