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Transport

Pilotage Service

Pilotage is compulsory in Hong Kong waters for any vessel of 3,000 gross tonnage and above, oil tankers of 1,000 gross tonnage and above, and all gas carriers. The Director of Marine is the pilotage authority, who regulates and monitors pilotage services with the assistance of the Pilotage Advisory Committee. Pilotage services are provided round-the-clock throughout the year.

Local Vessels

In 2012, about 16,300 local vessels (including passenger, cargo, fishing and pleasure vessels) were licensed in Hong Kong to provide a variety of services for the port and the community.

Hydrographic Service

The Hydrographic Office carries out hydrographic surveys and produces nautical charts, Electronic Navigational Charts and publications in Chinese and English. It issues Notices to Mariners for updating the charts once every two weeks, and also provides real-time information about tides, and Ma Wan transit tidal window predictions through the internet (www.hydro.gov. hk).

Planning, Development and Port Security

The Marine Department provides professional advice on the planning of projects that affect the port and marine traffic, and promulgates in Marine Department Notices the details of marine works. The department's statistical unit compiles and analyses maritime and port statistics on vessel movements and container throughput, and publishes them periodically on its website (www.mardep.gov.hk/en/publication/portstat.html).

All designated port facilities in Hong Kong comply fully with the International Maritime Organisation's International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. The Marine Department implements the code, including monitoring the training and qualifications of the port facilities' security personnel, security exercises and drills conducted at the port facilities and carrying out annual audits of port facility security arrangements.

Marine Industrial Safety

The Marine Department enforces safety requirements on works carried out on board vessels, including cargo handling, ship repair and marine construction under the Shipping and Port Control (Works) Regulation and Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Works) Regulation. Its Marine Industrial Safety Section conducts safety checks on works carried out on board vessels and promotes safe working practices and regulations for frontline workers.

Port Services and Facilities

Mainland and Macao Ferry Services

The Marine Department operates two cross-boundary ferry terminals: the Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal with 10 berths and the China Ferry Terminal with 12 berths. The Hong Kong- Macao Ferry Terminal operates round-the-clock. The China Ferry Terminal is open daily from

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