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The Hong Kong Shipping Register (HKSR) hit the
10 million gross registered tonnes (GRT) mark in October 2000,
18 months ahead of the original target date set by the Government.
To celebrate this remarkable achievement and to
mark the milestone in Hong Kong's GRT history, a reception was
held on January 5, 2001 in which three awards were presented to
the shipping companies in appreciation of their contribution to
make the HK Shipping Register a success.
The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, officiated
at the celebration ceremony attended by over 300 guests from the
shipping community and unveiled a commemorative wheel to mark
the breakthrough of the 10 million GRT. He also presented the
award to COSCO (HK) Shipping Co Ltd which was the winning company
with the most GRT on the HK Shipping Register.
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The
award for the ship that crossed the 10 million GRT mark
of the HKSR went to "M.V. Darya Tara" of KC Maritime Ltd
which registered on 18 October 2000, while the Unique Shipping
(HK) Ltd received the award as the company that flagged
in the most GRT on the HKSR during 2000.
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Speaking
at the celebration ceremony, Mr Tung conveyed his congratulations
to the Marine Department, the HK Port and Maritime Board (PMB),
the shipowners and the shipping lines who had been supporting
the Hong Kong flag, making it possible to achieve the target
of 10 million GRT in 20 months, one and a half years earlier
than originally forecasted, while at the same time retaining
the HKSR as a quality registry.
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Noting that shipping industry had been a vital
link and playing a crucial role in Hong Kong's history and growth,
Mr Tung was confident that the
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maritime industry would continue to play a vital
role in Hong Kong in the years to come.
He said over 50 million deadweight tonnes of ships
were under the management, control or ownership of Hong Kong,
making Hong Kong one of the largest centres in the world rivalling
Oslo, London, New York and Piraeus.
He also called on local shipowners to bring their
ships home and shipowners around the world to have their ships
flagged in Hong Kong as they would surely benefit from the growth
in trade after China's entry to WTO in the very near future.
(to be continued on P.2)
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