The Marine Department today implemented its amended Merchant Shipping (Registration) (Fees and Charges) Regulations, which allow eligible ships to be awarded refunds on fees and charges under the Block Registration Incentive Scheme.

The scheme is one of the measures set out in the Action Plan on Maritime & Port Development Strategy to support the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s maritime and port industry.

If more than one eligible ship is registered with the Hong Kong Shipping Registry (HKSR) within 24 months, refunds of the ship registration fee and the first-year annual tonnage charge may be given for each ship.

Moreover, each application can cover ships with different owners and may be submitted by a shipowner, ship manager or ship agent.

Stressing that the gross tonnage of Hong Kong-registered ships ranks as the fourth largest globally and that the HKSR’s current registration fee is highly competitive, the department pointed out that some other major flag administrations have already rolled out block registration incentives.

It said that it was therefore necessary to launch a similar scheme in Hong Kong to further strengthen the HKSR's competitiveness and foster the city’s leading position among shipping registries globally.

The proposed legislative amendments were published in the gazette on December 13 and tabled at the Legislative Council on December 18 for vetting.

Click here for details of the Block Registration Incentive Scheme.