ENG-1996 — Page 329

TRANSPORT

Shipping

Hong Kong is a prominent centre for ship-owning, ship-financing and ship- management. Members of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association control a significant percentage of the world's shipping tonnage. At the end of 1996, their fleet stood at 1006 ocean-going vessels, totalling 32 million GRT. These ships are registered under many flags, but principally with the Hong Kong, Panamanian and Liberian shipping registers.

Besides shipowners, the association's members include banks, classification societies, maritime lawyers, average adjusters, shipbrokers, shipbuilders, insurers and surveyors. This broad-based membership provides an effective forum for liaison on current shipping issues with the government and international organisations.

The Hong Kong Shipping Register

The Hong Kong Shipping Register is administered by the Marine Department. Its supporting legislation embodies international standards for vessel construction, equipment and manning, and is consistent with the territory's obligations under the International Maritime Organisation and International Labour Organisation conventions, including those on safety of life at sea, training and certification of crew, and protection of the marine environment.

The department's surveyors or authorised classification societies undertake statutory world-wide surveys of Hong Kong-registered vessels to ensure that these standards are met. The register had a total fleet of 543 vessels, amounting to 7.9 million GRT, at the end of 1996.

Seafarers

Hong Kong is a centre for employing well-trained seafarers. Some 1 300 Hong Kong officers and ratings serve on foreign-going ships flying flags of more than 18 different maritime administrations. The Marine Department's Mercantile Marine Office registers Hong Kong seafarers and regulates and supervises their engagement on board ships.

The new Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) Ordinance and its 28 sets of Regulations have been enacted to consolidate and amend the extant laws relating to the registration, employment, discipline, health, safety and welfare of Hong Kong seafarers. The new legislation caters to changing needs, particularly in view of the forthcoming change of sovereignty in 1997.

The Marine Department's Examination Section monitors training provided to seafarers and examines candidates for certificates of competency. Measures have been taken to give full effect to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 and its amendment made in 1995. The Hong Kong Seamen's Training Centre, a modern and well-equipped learning institute operated by the Vocational Training Council, provides training courses for new entrants and in-service training. The falling recruitment of local seafarers nevertheless continues to remain a major concern. The Hong Kong Shipowners Association continues to sponsor cadets and trainees joining the Seamen's Training Centre.

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