Regional hub: The Economic Development & Labour Bureau has proposed measures to enhance Hong Kong port's competitiveness.

The Economic Development & Labour Bureau has proposed a fee-reduction scheme for the annual tonnage charge of Hong Kong-registered ships to promote the shipping registrar, and other measures to enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness as a major hub port in the Asia-Pacific region.

Under the proposed scheme, a Hong Kong-registered ship will be given a six-month fee reduction for every two years if it has not been detained during that period. This will encourage a long-term and stable registration under the Hong Kong Shipping Registrar as well as promoting it as a quality register.

The bureau has suggested cutting the anchorage dues and port facilities and light dues to lower the operating cost of a ship calling at Hong Kong, and to introduce a new anchorage fee structure that charges hourly dues to encourage ships to minimise their stay and alleviate harbour congestion.

The bureau also proposed establishing five service anchorages in the harbour area and north of Lantau Island to expand the mid-stream cargo-handling capacity to meet the needs of the industry.

Subsidiary legislation to be tabled in LegCo Nov 23

Three pieces of subsidiary legislation giving effect to the proposals are published in the Gazette today, namely, the Shipping & Port Control (Amendment) Regulation 2005, the Shipping & Port Control Regulations (Amendment of Seventh Schedule) Notice 2005 and the Merchant Shipping (Registration) (Fees & Charges) (Amendment) Regulation 2005.