HK Government plans to cut US$5.9 million in marine fees

THE Hong Kong Government has published in the Gazette two sets of amendment regulation to reduce 24 marine-related fees and charges for services provided by the Marine Department.

The proposed amendments to the regulations will be tabled at the Legislative Council (Legco) on Wednesday January 19. The reductions, if implemented, will reduce government revenue by HK$46.4 million (US$5.9 million) a year.


If approved by Legco, the new fees will come into effect on March 12. The two sets of amendment regulations are the Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Regulation 2011 and the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2011.


The Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Regulation 2011 will reduce the port facilities and light dues by about 20 per cent for ocean-going vessels and by about 22 per cent for high-speed passenger craft plying within the river trade limits.


The Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2011 will reduce the examination fees for Certificates of Competency of all classes of deck and marine engineer officers by about 20 per cent.


The Government reviews the levels of marine-related fees and charges regularly according to the "user pays" principle and a recent costing review showed that there is room for reducing the above fees and charges, which number 24, said the official statement.


A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said: "The reductions, like similar ones implemented in recent years, are just one of the measures to enhance the competitiveness of the Hong Kong Port and our maritime industry.


"In particular, the proposed examination fee reduction represents further efforts of the Government to encourage more talent to pursue careers in the maritime sector. The status of Hong Kong as an international maritime centre will be strengthened if a stronger and larger pool of marine professionals is available."