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29 June 2004 (Tuesday)
Merchant Shipping (Security of Ships and Port Facilities) Rules Enacted
Following the enactment of the Merchant Shipping (Security of Ships and Port Facilities) Ordinance (13 of 2004) on 25 June 2004, the Government today (29 June) gazetted the Merchant Shipping (Security of Ships and Port Facilities) Rules for entering into force on the same date.
A spokesman for the Economic Development and Labour Bureau said, "The enactment of the Ordinance and the Rules allows Hong Kong to comply and implement the maritime security provisions under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS), which will enter into force internationally on 1 July 2004."
The Rules, made under the Ordinance, form an integral part of the domestic legislation to give effect to the new maritime security provisions under Chapter XI-2 of SOLAS and the associated International Ship and Port Facility Security Code adopted by the International Maritime Organization. These provisions are binding on Hong Kong, as the Central People's Government is a contracting government to SOLAS. The maritime security provisions aim to establish an international framework to protect the maritime transport from security threats and contribute towards the overall supply chain security.
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