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Transport

Norway, Portugal, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Vietnam.

Port Administration

The Marine Department administers the port, with its principal task to ensure safety of navigation and efficiency of shipping activities in Hong Kong waters. This is achieved through comprehensive traffic management, harbour patrols, vessel traffic services, provision of mooring buoys and strict enforcement of rules and standards of the major international maritime conventions.

The department liaises closely with shipping and commercial organisations through a number of advisory and consultative committees. Through these channels, users and operators of port facilities can advise the government on port administration matters. The Port Operations Committee advises on all matters related to efficient operation of the port, the Pilotage Advisory Committee on pilotage services, and the Port Area Security Advisory Committee on port security. In addition, the Local Vessels Advisory Committee deals with matters related to local vessels, while the Shipping Consultative Committee advises on the operation of the Hong Kong Shipping Register (HKSR) and Hong Kong's participation in the International Maritime Organisation.

The department's website (www.mardep.gov.hk) provides a wide range of information on the port and the HKSR, such as notices and details of the department's services and facilities. Special features include the application of Really Simple Syndication to publish updated Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Notices, Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Information Notes and Marine Accident Investigation Reports; maritime security levels of the port and the Hong Kong- registered ships; the Hong Kong Shipping Directory in which Hong Kong-based marine services companies are listed; real-time vessel arrival and departure information; examination schedules for seafarers; verification of Port Clearance Permits issued; allocation of approved berthing slots at the Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal and the China Ferry Terminal; and port and maritime

statistics.

The department's Electronic Business System provides a one-stop solution to simplify and speed up the submission and processing of port formalities, offering services such as online submission of applications, auto-approval for online applications, self printing of permits/ certificates, online payment via auto-pay and online checking of application status.

Vessel Traffic Services

The department's Vessel Traffic Centre operates round-the-clock to monitor and regulate the movements of vessels by providing vessel traffic services (VTS) with a modern VTS surveillance system, and a Very High Frequency radio system with full coverage of all navigable waters in Hong Kong.

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