Hong Kong expands anchorage space for green fuel bunkering more than fourfold

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has gazetted six items of subsidiary legislation aimed at expanding the city’s capacity to meet rising demand for green maritime fuel bunkering.

The amendments will increase the sea area available for green fuel bunkering from 645 hectares to 2,877 hectares. The proposed changes will be submitted to the Legislative Council on October 7 for negative vetting, under which the legislation will take effect unless the Council moves to amend or reject it.

Changes to maritime legislation

The government is proposing amendments to Schedule 3 of the Pilotage Ordinance, along with five pieces of subsidiary legislation under the Immigration Ordinance, Dangerous Goods Ordinance, Shipping and Port Control Ordinance and Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance.

The measures include amendments to the Immigration (Anchorages and Landing Places) Order, Dangerous Goods (Shipping) Regulation, Shipping and Port Control Regulation, Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) Regulation and Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Fees) Regulation.

Seven new anchorages planned

Under the proposals, seven new anchorages will be established and the boundaries of eight existing anchorages will be adjusted.

Three dangerous goods or service anchorages will be converted into multipurpose anchorages, while two existing anchorages will be abolished.

The amendments will also give statutory status to two recommended Traffic Separation Schemes (TSSs) and introduce a more trade-friendly fee structure for Government Mooring Buoys.

The government has additionally proposed abolishing a dangerous goods anchorage and a designated bunkering area located near a residential area. Corresponding adjustments will be made to other anchorages and designated bunkering areas.

Consultation completed

The Transport and Logistics Bureau consulted the Legislative Council’s Panel on Economic Development, the Pilotage Advisory Committee, the Port Operations Committee, the Local Vessels Advisory Committee, the High Speed Craft Consultative Committee and the Dangerous Goods Standing Committee.

The bureau also sought views from relevant district councils, Rural Committees in the Islands District and representatives of the fishing sector. According to the government, all parties consulted either supported the proposals or raised no objections.

Hong Kong seeks to strengthen green bunkering role

A Transport and Logistics Bureau spokesman said the international maritime industry is accelerating the adoption of green maritime fuels as part of efforts to reduce emissions.

The spokesman said the amendments would make green fuel bunkering more convenient for vessels calling at Hong Kong and support the city’s position as a green maritime fuel bunkering centre.