The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Friday gazetted six items of subsidiary legislation to ensure that Hong Kong’s port facilities and related infrastructure meet growing demand for green maritime fuel bunkering services.

The amendments aim to optimize the layout of anchorages and port facilities, significantly expanding the sea room for green maritime fuel bunkering operations from 645 hectares to 2,877 hectares.

The proposed amendments will be submitted to the Legislative Council on Wednesday for negative vetting.

“Amid the global transition towards green shipping, the international maritime industry is accelerating the adoption of green maritime fuels to achieve maritime decarbonization,” said a spokesman for the Transport and Logistics Bureau.

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The government has proposed amending Schedule 3 of the Pilotage Ordinance, while also amending five items under the Immigration Ordinance, the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance, and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance.

The five items to be amended are the Immigration (Anchorages and Landing Places) (Amendment) Order, the Dangerous Goods (Shipping) (Amendment) Regulation 2012, the Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Regulation, the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) (Amendment) Regulation, and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation.

Key measures include establishment of seven new anchorages; adjusting the boundaries of eight existing anchorages; conversion of three dangerous goods anchorages or service anchorages into multipurpose anchorages; abolition of two existing anchorages; formalization of two existing recommended Traffic Separation Schemes (TSSs) to become local statutory TSSs; and introduction of a more trade-friendly fee structure for Government Mooring Buoys.

The government has also proposed abolishing a dangerous goods anchorage and a designated bunkering area located near a residential area, while making corresponding adjustments to other anchorages and designated bunkering areas.

The bureau has consulted the Legislative Council’s Panel on Economic Development, the Pilotage Advisory Committee, the Port Operations Committee, the Local Vessels Advisory Committee, the High Speed Craft Consultative Committee, the Dangerous Goods Standing Committee, relevant district councils, relevant Rural Committees in the Islands District, and fishers’ representatives.

According to the government, all consulted parties either supported the proposals or raised no objections.

“The amendments will offer greater convenience to vessels visiting Hong Kong for green maritime fuel bunkering in future, further consolidating Hong Kong's position as a green maritime fuel bunkering center,” said the bureau spokesman.