The Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2022 and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2022 will take effect upon gazettal this Friday (December 23) to set up eleven vessel height restricted areas (VHRAs) along the viaducts of Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Bridge (TKOCBB), Tseung Kwan O Interchange (TKOI) and Tseung Kwan O Southern Bridge (TKOSB). The legislative amendments aim to better ensure the safe passage of vessels and mitigate the risk of vessel collision with the bridge structures.
Having regard to marine traffic and the height of the viaducts, VHRAs with height restrictions being 17.0, 12.0, 6.0 and 3.0 metres along the TKOCBB; 6.0, 3.0 and 2.0 metres along the TKOI; and 5.6 and 4.0 metres along TKOSB will be set up. Except with the permission of the Director of Marine, no vessels exceeding the height restrictions can enter or pass through the relevant VHRAs.
The Panel on Economic Development of the Legislative Council (LegCo), as well as the Local Vessels Advisory Committee, Pilotage Advisory Committee and Port Operations Committee of the Marine Department, have been consulted on the legislative proposal. No adverse comment was received.
The amendment regulations will be tabled at the LegCo for negative vetting on January 11, 2023.
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