ENG-2016 — Page 275

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Transport

under the Shipping and Port Control (Works) Regulation and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Works) Regulation. It conducts safety checks on such works and promotes safe working practices and regulations.

Port Development

Planning and Development

The department provides professional advice on the planning of projects that affect port and marine traffic, and issues Marine Department Notices on details of marine works. Maritime and port statistics on vessel movements and container throughput are published periodically on its website.

Strategic Planning

The government is taking forward a series of enhancement measures recommended under the 'Study on the Strategic Development Plan for Hong Kong Port 2030' and the 'Proposals for Enhancing the Use of Port Back-up Land in Kwai Tsing' completed in 2014 and 2015 respectively, with a view to improving port operational efficiency.

Maritime Industry

About 60 international shipping lines offer ocean liner services in Hong Kong, with about 330 sailings weekly connecting to around 470 destinations worldwide. More than 800 shipping- related companies operate in the territory, providing supplies and support services including ship maintenance and repair, bunkering, ship replenishment, waste disposal, information technology and communications, auditing and tax advisory, and training services, as well as a myriad of quality maritime services such as ship management, ship broking and chartering, maritime insurance, ship finance and legal and arbitration services. According to the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, Hong Kong's ship owners own or manage about 9 per cent of the world's merchant fleet in terms of deadweight tonnage.

Hong Kong has in place double taxation relief arrangements covering shipping income with 44 tax administrations.

Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board

On 1 April, the government established the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board. This is a high- level steering body chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Housing and comprises industry figures from various maritime and port sectors. The board aims to create a maritime business- friendly environment and foster the long-term development of Hong Kong's maritime industry and port. A delegation led by the Secretary for Transport and Housing and comprising members of the board took part in an international shipping exhibition in Greece in June to promote Hong Kong's maritime sector and encourage enterprises in Europe to invest in Hong Kong. The board also organised the inaugural Hong Kong Maritime Industry Week in November to unite and showcase the local maritime industry as a strong cluster, raise the community's awareness of the significant economic contributions of Hong Kong's port and maritime industries, and promote the city as a preferred base for operating maritime business. Some 4,600 local and overseas participants attended the 29 events during the week.

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