GBA eases yacht entry rules for HK, Macau vessels

The vessels are restricted to operating only within nine cities.

The HKSAR government said it noted the State Council of the People's Republic of China's approval of a new arrangement allowing Hong Kong and Macau yachts to enter temporarily and exit mainland China through designated ports in nine cities within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

The vessels are restricted to operating only within those nine cities.

Under the policy, yachts from Hong Kong and Macau will be exempt from providing financial guarantees when completing cross-boundary procedures.

Authorities say this removes a major upfront cost for yacht owners.

The Transport & Logistics Bureau also said the new system introduces a temporary ship nationality registration scheme under which Hong Kong and Macau yachts can obtain short-term mainland-issued registration documents without changing their original registration status.

This allows them to sail within the waters of the nine mainland GBA cities under a temporary permit.

Separately, the Marine Department of Hong Kong said it is coordinating with the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration on measures to facilitate reciprocal arrangements for yachts from mainland China travelling southbound.