The MIC launched a Ship Repair Training Incentive Scheme in August to ensure that Hong Kong has a quality ship-repair workforce. The scheme provides financial incentives to attract young people and suitable workers from other industries to join the ship-repair sector. The council conducted shipping missions to different cities on the Mainland, including Qingdao, Tianjin, Shanghai and Xiamen, to promote Hong Kong's port and maritime services and to exchange views on the latest developments in the maritime industry.
Maritime Industry
Hong Kong has some 80 international shipping lines with 500 sailings weekly to 500 destinations around the world. There are about 900 shipping-related companies operating in Hong Kong, providing a great variety of quality maritime services ranging from marine insurance, maritime legal services, arbitration, ship financing, brokerage, management and registration to ship survey services. Hong Kong is now the seventh largest maritime centre in the world. Members of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association own, manage or operate over a thousand vessels with over 46 million gross tonnage.
Some of the world's largest and oldest shipping companies are based in Hong Kong providing professional services not only to Hong Kong-registered ships, but also to ships calling here. Other international maritime service providers have also set up offices in Hong Kong, providing various supplies and support services including ship maintenance and repair, bunkering, ship replenishment, waste disposal, information technology (IT) and communication services, auditing and tax advisory services, and training services. The shipping and maritime sectors contribute significantly to Hong Kong's economy and the job market.
Hong Kong is proactive in negotiating double taxation relief arrangements covering shipping income with its trading partners. Hong Kong has so far succeeded in making such arrangements with 13 tax administrations, including the Mainland, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Port Administration
The Marine Department administers the port. Its principal function is to ensure navigation safety and efficiency of shipping activities in the waters of Hong Kong. This is achieved through comprehensive traffic management, harbour patrols, vessel traffic services, provision of mooring buoys and strict enforcement of major international maritime conventions.
The department liaises closely with shipping and commercial organisations through a number of advisory and consultative committees. Users and operators of port facilities can provide advice related to port administration matters through these channels. The Port Operations Committee advises on all matters related to the efficient operation of the port, the Pilotage Advisory Committee on matters related to pilotage services, and the Port Area Security Advisory Committee on port security. In addition, the Provisional Local Vessel Advisory Committee deals with local craft
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.