New regulation on merchant shipping safety proposed

     The Government has proposed to make a new regulation under the Merchant Shipping (Safety) Ordinance to implement the requirements for the carriage of packaged irradiated nuclear fuel (INF) cargo by sea as set out in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of the International Maritime Organization.

     A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau today (November 9) said, "The proposed Merchant Shipping (Safety) (INF Cargo) Regulation incorporates the mandatory requirements of the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes on Board Ships into local legislation. It sets out the requirements for temperature control of cargo spaces and fire safety measures as well as the keeping of a shipboard emergency plan and holding of a valid International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of INF Cargo on board ships carrying INF cargo."

     The Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development and the Shipping Consultative Committee of the Marine Department have been consulted on the legislative proposal.

     The legislative proposal was gazetted today and will be tabled at the Legislative Council on November 14 for negative vetting.