ENG-2014 — Page 278

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Transport

Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council

The Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council, chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Housing and comprising industry leaders and senior government officials, advises the government on measures and initiatives to develop further Hong Kong's maritime industry. It also assists the government in promoting Hong Kong's maritime services and its status as an international maritime centre through different forums, including visits to Athens and London in 2014.

Maritime and Aviation Training Fund

The government launched a $100-million Maritime and Aviation Training Fund on 1 April 2014 to support manpower development of the maritime and aviation sectors. The fund aims to build up a vibrant, diversified and competitive pool of professionals and technical personnel to support the sectors' future development, and it supports various scholarships, training and promotion initiatives. New initiatives have been launched to finance those working in the two sectors to take up professional training and examinations, and to provide internship positions offering young people early exposure to the experience of working in the sectors.

Hong Kong Shipping Register

In 2014, the total gross tonnage of ships registered on the Hong Kong Shipping Register (HKSR), administered by the Marine Department, rose to over 92.78 million. In 2014, the HKSR ranked within the world's top five shipping registers. To maintain high standards, the Marine Department conducts a Pre-registration Quality Control assessment of ships intending to join. the register and implements a Flag State Quality Control System to ensure ships on the register comply with international standards. As a result of these quality control measures, the Port State Control detention rate of Hong Kong-registered ships remained well below the world average, which enabled the Hong Kong flag to maintain its position among the top performance flags in the white list established by the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of Port State Control; and for its ships to be classified as low risk under the Paris MOU. In addition, Hong Kong also holds the United States Coast Guard's 'Qualship 21' status.

Marine Accident Investigations

The Marine Department's Marine Accident Investigation and Shipping Security Policy Branch (MAISSPB) investigates all serious ship related accidents occurring on Hong Kong-registered ships and in Hong Kong waters. The purpose of the investigation is to determine the circumstances and the possible causes of the accident and recommend preventive measures against recurrences. In 2014, the MAISSPB investigated 34 serious accidents. To improve public awareness of maritime safety, investigation reports of all serious accidents are published on the department's website.

The Chief Executive may order a public inquiry by a Marine Court or a Commission of Inquiry into a serious accident. For accidents involving licensed pilots, a Board of Investigation may be ordered by the Director of Marine.

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