New shipping safety standards to meet international guidelines

Proposed amendments aim to set safety standards for ships and personnel.

The government proposed to update regulations on merchant shipping safety to comply with the latest International Maritime Organisation requirements from the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.

The government also proposed amendments to the Safety Ordinance’s schedule.

The proposed amendments aim to establish safety standards for ships transporting industrial personnel and the personnel themselves, addressing specific risks in offshore and energy sector maritime operations.

The members of the Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development and the Fleet Operation Advisory Committee of the Marine Department have expressed support for the proposal.

The Legislative Council will table proposed amendments on 26 June for negative vetting.