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Transport

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 7 am to midnight. The department controls and regulates the use of these cross-boundary ferry terminals under the Shipping and Port Control (Ferry Terminals) Regulations.

Immigration and Quarantine Services

Immigration and quarantine services for ships are available at the Western and Eastern Quarantine and Immigration Anchorages. Immigration service is also available at the Tuen Mun Immigration Anchorage for river-trade vessels. Shipping agents may apply for immigration and quarantine services, including advance clearance, for ships.

Mooring Buoys

The Marine Department provides 13 Class 'A' and four Class 'B' mooring buoys for vessels up to 183 metres and 137 metres long respectively.

Bunkering and Potable Water Supply

Bunkering is readily available at commercial wharves and oil terminals or from a large fleet of private bunkering barges. Bunker supplies meet the latest requirements under Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (also known as the MARPOL Convention). Fresh water can also be supplied alongside berths or from a fleet of private water boats.

Local Vessels Safety Certification Service

The Marine Department's Local Vessels Safety Section provides survey and certification services for local vessels to make sure they comply with safety and pollution prevention requirements. Under the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance, the plan approval and ship survey work for certain types of local vessels may be carried out by recognised authorities, organisations or professionals authorised by the department.

Public Cargo Working Areas

The Marine Department manages six public cargo working areas, which are open to cargo operators for loading and unloading cargo onto and from barges and coasters. The combined length of berths in these working areas is about 5,000 metres.

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