The Marine Department (MD) announced today (January 2) that a new mobile application, "eSeaGo", has been launched to display chart information on Hong Kong waters free of charge.
 
     The "eSeaGo" app offers simple and convenient access. Users can download the chart information provided by the Hydrographic Office of the MD via the app. With the mobile device's positioning function, "eSeaGo" will assist sailing in Hong Kong waters. Meanwhile, the information provided on "eSeaGo" can also be read in an offline mode.
 
     The "eSeaGo" app provides content and information in raster images which should not be used as a substitute for paper nautical charts or electronic navigational charts. The "eSeaGo" app is not designed to be used for navigational purposes or as a substitute for any navigational equipment that is required under applicable regulations or laws.
 
     The "eSeaGo" app is available free of charge for Android and iPhone by downloading from Google Play and the App Store respectively. The app provides Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and English versions. For more information about other functions of "eSeaGo", please visit www.hydro.gov.hk/eng/eseago.php.
 
     For enquiries on "eSeaGo", please email hydro@mardep.gov.hk.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 2) announced that the qualifying standards (QS) for environment-friendly commercial vehicles will be tightened from April 1, 2019, as follows:

(a) For Heavy Duty Commercial Vehicles (with a design weight of more than 3.5 tonnes):
i. the QS for heavy duty commercial vehicles (except (a)ii) will be tightened from "Euro VI On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) Phase A/B with NOx emission at least 30 per cent less than the Euro VI limit" to "Euro VI OBD Phase C with NOx emission at least 30 per cent less than the Euro VI limit"; and
ii. for buses with a design weight of not more than 9 tonnes and light buses with a design weight of more than 3.5 tonnes, the current QS (Euro VI) will remain unchanged.

(b) For Light Duty Commercial Vehicles (with a design weight of not more than 3.5 tonnes),
i. the current QS for light duty commercial vehicles (except (b)ii) will be maintained as "Euro 6b OBD Euro 6-1 with NOx emission at least 50 per cent less than the Euro 6 limit"; and
ii. for taxis, the QS will be tightened from "Euro 6b OBD Euro 6-1 with NOx emission at least 50 per cent less than the Euro 6 limit" to "Euro 6c OBD Euro 6-2 with NOx emission at least 80 per cent less than the Euro 6 limit".

     An EPD spokesman said, "As the statutory emission standards for first registered heavy duty commercial vehicles (except for buses with a design weight of not more than 9 tonnes and light buses with a design weight of more than 3.5 tonnes) will be tightened to Euro VI OBD Phase C from April 1, 2019, and the statutory emission standards for first registered taxis will be tightened to Euro 6c OBD Euro 6-2 from September 1, 2019, there is a need to tighten the relevant QS for the environment-friendly vehicles such that only vehicles with outstanding emission performance outstripping the prevailing statutory requirements can enjoy the first registration tax (FRT) concessions."

     To improve roadside air quality and safeguard public health, the Government has been offering tax incentive since April 1, 2008, to encourage vehicle owners to choose environment-friendly commercial vehicles with exhaust emissions that outperform the prevailing statutory emission standards. The EPD reviews the qualifying standards of environment-friendly commercial vehicle models annually in the light of vehicle technological advancement, market availability and the prevailing statutory emission standards for first registered vehicles such that the tax incentive is available only to vehicles with outstanding emission performance.

     At present, the rates of FRT reduction for environment-friendly commercial vehicle classes range from 30 per cent to 100 per cent subject to vehicle-class-specific caps per vehicle.

     The EPD regularly updates the list of environment-friendly commercial vehicle models as new models enter the local market. The updated list of environment-friendly commercial vehicle models and the tightened qualifying standards are available at
www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/environment_friendly_commercial_vehicles.html.

     The Government will gazette on January 4 the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Regulation 2019 and a notice under the Motor Vehicles (First Registration Tax) Ordinance to revise 17 fees for licences and services under the Customs and Excise Department. The new fees will take effect on March 1.

     The fees to be revised involve:

* licence fees for traders of dutiable commodities;

* fees for transfer of or substitution or amendment in any licence;

* fees for certain certificates and storage of dutiable commodities;

* bonded warehouse supervision fees; and

* registration fees for motor vehicle importers and/or distributors.
     
     "In line with the 'user-pays' principle, it is the Government's policy that fees charged by the Government should in general be set at levels adequate to recover the full cost of the public services provided.

     "Costing review at the 2018-19 price level shows that the cost recovery levels of these fee items range from 28.4 per cent to 82 per cent. The extent of fee increases ranges from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, or from $0.30 to $2,450 in dollar terms.

     "The aforementioned fees were last revised in 2015. We will continue to enhance efficiency and streamline procedures so as to contain the costs of providing these services," a Government spokesman said.

     After the fee revision, the government revenue will increase by about $530,000 per annum.

     The Labour Department (LD), the Social Services, Labour and Economic Affairs Committee of the North District Council and the Hong Kong Youth Power Association will jointly hold the North District Recruitment and Training Expo 2019 at Wo Hing Sports Centre in Fanling on January 4 (Friday).
      
     A total of 66 organisations will participate in the Expo. Among them, 57 organisations, mainly from the retail, catering and property management industries, will offer about 6 000 vacancies and conduct on-the-spot recruitment at the venue's booths. Nine training organisations will provide information on their training courses to visitors. Three skills demonstration sessions on topics ranging from acupressure massage to leaking household pipe repair will also be held in the afternoon.
      
     The vacancies offered cover a wide variety of positions including Chinese medicine dispenser trainee, travel consultant, network service installation technician, shop assistant, clerk, security guard, driver, technician, building testing apprentice, storekeeper, cashier, cook, waiter/waitress, elderly sitter, beautician and more. Job seekers can find more information on the LD's Interactive Employment Service website (www.jobs.gov.hk).
      
     Around 70 per cent of the vacancies are full-time jobs and most of them offer monthly salaries ranging from $9,000 to $18,000. Over 98 per cent of the vacancies require a Secondary Six education level or below. Around 79 per cent are open to job seekers without relevant experience.
      
     Job seekers can submit applications on the spot and may be selected for on-site interviews. They can also register for employment services and enquire about details of the Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme at the LD's counter.
      
     The Expo will be held from 11am to 5.30pm at Wo Hing Sports Centre, 8 Wo Ming Lane, Fanling (next to Wah Ming Estate Bus Terminus). Admission is free.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates of medical wards in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.