The Government proposes to amend the Pilotage Ordinance (Cap. 84), the Dangerous Goods (Shipping) Regulation 2012 (Cap. 295F), the Shipping and Port Control Regulations (Cap. 313A), the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Certification and Licensing) Regulation (Cap. 548D), the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) Regulation (Cap. 548F), and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Safety and Survey) Regulation (Cap. 548G), to regulate and control the operation, movement and anchorage of the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) vessel and the operation of the offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to ensure navigational safety within Hong Kong waters.

     To promote low-carbon transformation of the electricity generation sector and achieve "net-zero electricity generation" in the long run, the Government has seen to it that the two power companies phase down the use of coal and switch to cleaner fuel for electricity generation. To this end, the power companies are jointly developing an offshore LNG terminal, which has the capability to receive and store LNG from LNG carriers, and to deliver regasified natural gas by subsea gas pipelines to the power companies' respective gas receiving stations.

     The legislative proposals include providing a new multipurpose anchorage for contingency berthing of LNG carriers and establishing a pilot boarding station in the southwest of Lamma Island, setting up new principal fairways in the south of Shek Kwu Chau, specifying the LNG terminal as an "approved petroleum wharf" and adding a new vessel type as "gas carrier" for regulating the operation of the FSRU vessel, etc. 

     The Government consulted the Local Vessels Advisory Committee, the High Speed Craft Consultative Committee, the Port Operations Committee and the Pilotage Advisory Committee. The four Committees all endorsed the legislative proposals. The Government also consulted the Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development at its meeting on February 27 this year. Members generally supported the proposals.

     The proposed legislative amendments were gazetted today (March 10) and will be tabled at the Legislative Council on March 15 for negative vetting.

Ends/Friday, March 10, 2023
Issued at HKT 11:30

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