Gov’t proposes six law changes to widen green fuel bunkering zone

The amendments aim to expand bunkering sea room from 645 to 2,877 hectares.

Hong Kong has proposed amendments to six items of subsidiary legislation to expand port facilities and sea space for green maritime fuel bunkering as demand for the fuels grows.

The amendments cover Schedule 3 of the Pilotage Ordinance and five items under the Immigration Ordinance, the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance, and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance.

The proposed changes, published in the Government Gazette, would expand the sea area available for green maritime fuel bunkering from 645 hectares to 2,877 hectares.

The measures include establishing seven new anchorages, adjusting the boundaries of eight existing anchorages, and converting three dangerous goods or service anchorages into multipurpose anchorages.

In addition, a dangerous goods anchorage and a designated bunkering area near residential areas would be abolished, with corresponding changes made to other anchorages and designated bunkering areas.

The government said it also plans to formalise two existing recommended traffic separation schemes as statutory local schemes and introduce a revised fee structure for government mooring buoys.

The measures would support Hong Kong’s development as a green maritime fuel bunkering centre, the government added.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau said the amendments would make it easier for vessels calling at Hong Kong to conduct green maritime fuel bunkering as the global shipping industry moves towards lower-carbon fuels.

The bureau has consulted with the Legislative Council’s Panel on Economic Development, maritime groups, and fishermen’s representatives.