Asia/Pacific News
Hong Kong Moves to Enforce New Antifouling Regs on Ships
From January 1, 2017, the Government of Hong Kong will enforce new Merchant Shipping (Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships) Regulation, CAP 413N, the Gulf Agency Company (GAC) has announced.
The new regulation prohibits the use of organotin compounds as biocides in the antifouling systems on ships, and represents Hong Kong's implementation of the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships 2001.
The regulation applies to all ships registered to Hong Kong regardless of physical location, foreign ships within Hong Kong waters, and local vessels as defined in the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance, CAP 548.
Vessels of 400 gross tonnage (GT) or more that are subject to the regulation and engaged in international voyages require a valid International Anti-Fouling System Certificate to be carried onboard.
Vessels of 24 metres or more in length that are less than 400 GT and engaged in international voyages do not require certification, but must carry a declaration onboard that confirms the ship's anti-fouling system complies with the regulation and is signed by the owner of the ship or authorised agent.
"Shipowners, operators and coxswains of local vessels are required to observe and comply with the requirements of the Regulation," notes GAC.
In July, Ship & Bunker reported that Hong Kong will enforce China's new emission control area (ECA) regulations in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) once they come into effect in 2019.
