ENG-2003 — Page 323

TRANSPORT

There is also a regional maritime oil spill response plan for the Pearl River Estuary. The aim of this plan is to enhance the regional cooperation in the event of a major oil spill incident occurring in Hong Kong or in any of the neighbouring ports in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Macau and Guangzhou.

In October, the department's Pollution Control Unit organised a large-scale oil spill clean-up exercise in which all concerned government departments and local oil companies took part.

Shipping

Hong Kong Shipping Register

The HKSR is administered by the Marine Department. The supporting legislation relating to the Register embodies international standards under the IMO, the International Labour Organisation and other international conventions applicable to Hong Kong.

Substantial growth in the HKSR continued in 2003. By year-end, the Register had grown to 879 vessels with a total of 20.69 million gross tonnage, representing a 27.5 per cent increase in tonnage over 2002. The HKSR is now ranked eighth in the world. The Register has an excellent reputation for high quality and standards. Port State Control detention rates for the Hong Kong-registered ships continue to remain well below the world averages.

While statutory surveys of passenger ships are undertaken by Marine Department surveyors, statutory surveys of cargo ships are fully delegated to accredited classification societies. The department monitors the performance of Hong Kong- registered ships and their management companies as well as of classification societies. by means of an innovative Flag State Quality Control (FSQC) System, which ensures the ships comply fully with the applicable international standards. Under the system, the performance of all ships and management companies in the HKSR is carefully monitored in accordance with established criteria. A computerised database is then used for selection of ships and companies for FSQC inspections. During the year, 39 FSQC inspections of ships and nine FSQC visits of companies were carried out by the department's surveyors.

Marine Accident Investigations

To discharge its obligations as a responsible maritime administration, the department's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigates all serious. marine accidents involving vessels in HKSAR waters. The department also investigates all major or serious accidents outside the HKSAR if a Hong Kong- registered ship is involved.

Investigations are carried out to identify the cause of accidents as well as the circumstances under which they occurred, in order to avoid similar accidents from happening again. Summaries of the investigation reports are posted on the department's website and copies of the reports are made available to the public upon request so as to promote and enhance maritime safety.

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