ENG-2019 — Page 271

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Transport

Carriage of Dangerous Goods

The department conducts random shipboard inspections of vessels in Hong Kong waters according to international and local standards.

Local Vessels Safety Certification

The 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.

Port Security

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

Marine Industrial Safety

The department's Marine Industrial Safety Section 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 the Merchant Shipping (Local) Vessels) (Works) Regulation. It conducts safety checks on such works and promotes safe working practices and regulations.

Port Development

The department provides professional advice on the planning of projects that affect port and marine traffic, and publishes port and maritime statistics periodically on its website. The government looks at ways of enhancing port performance and operational efficiency, such as facilitating the use of port back-up land.

Maritime Industry

The port of Hong Kong offers frequent and comprehensive ocean liner services, with about 300 container vessel sailings weekly to around 420 destinations worldwide. More than 800 maritime-related companies operate in the territory, providing quality services such as ship management, ship broking and chartering, marine insurance and maritime legal and arbitration services. Hong Kong is also a ship finance centre in the region. According to the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, Hong Kong's shipowners own or manage 9.3 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 48 tax jurisdictions.

Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board

The Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board is a high-level advisory body chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Housing and comprises maritime and port industry figures. It aims to create a maritime business-friendly environment, nurture local maritime talent and promote Hong

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