The Government of Hong Kong proposed to amend regulations under the Merchant Shipping (Safety) Ordinance, to incorporate the latest requirements set out in the International Convention on Load Lines (Load Lines Convention) of the IMO into local legislation.
As informed, amendments will be made to the Merchant Shipping (Safety) (Load Line) Regulation and the Merchant Shipping (Safety) (Load Lines) (Deck Cargo) Regulation. With the latest requirements incorporated in the Merchant Shipping (Safety) (Load Line) (Amendment) Regulation, the Merchant Shipping (Safety) (Load Lines) (Length of Ship) Regulations will be repealed.
According to a spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau, the proposed legislative amendments seek to enhance the safety and stability of a ship by implementing the latest requirements of the Load Lines Convention, which is amended by the IMO from time to time to keep international standards in relation to load lines in tandem with new shipping technological and operational practices.
The latest requirements to be incorporated include the improved calculation and determination of a ship’s freeboard, intact stability and structural requirements, as well as the safe carriage of deck cargo consisting of timber on a ship.
In the 1966 Load Lines convention, adopted by IMO, provisions are made for determining the freeboard of ships by subdivision and damage stability calculations. Limitations on the draught to which a ship may be loaded make a significant contribution to her safety. The Convention, which entered into force in July 1968, focuses on freeboards which constitute, besides external weathertight and watertight integrity, its main objective. All assigned load lines must be marked amidships on each side of the ship, together with the deck line. Ships intended for the carriage of timber deck cargo are assigned a smaller freeboard as the deck cargo provides protection against the impact of waves.
The Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development and the relevant consultative committee of the Marine Department have been consulted and members supported the legislative proposal. The proposed legislative amendments were gazetted on March 23 and will be tabled at the Legislative Council on March 28 for negative vetting.