香港貨船業總商會四十七周年會慶
海事處處長 譚百樂太平紳士致辭
2010年11月28日
會長、黃〔耀勤〕理事長、各位理事、各位監事、各位來賓：
今天能夠參與這個盛會，與大家一起慶祝香港貨船業總商會成立47周年，我感到非常高興。貴會歷史悠久，基礎穩固，今天適逢周年會慶的大日子，實在可喜可賀！中國推行一籃子剌激經濟的措施，成效顯著，亞洲區經濟因而錄得可觀增長，其中又以區內貿易增長最多。反觀歐美市場，在2008至09年金融海嘯以來，復蘇緩慢，表現疲弱不穩。在此消彼長的情況下，亞洲區內貿易現時足以媲美與歐美進行的東西方貿易。亞洲區內貿易在船運路線、船隻數目、船隻噸位以至貨量方面不斷增長，創造了新的商機，香港必須作好準備，好好把握。政府一直致力調低收費水平，務求維持相對於區內其他港口的定價優勢，吸引船隻來港。貴會在會長、黃理事長、各位理事和監事的領導下，對於提高港口服務質素不遺餘力。不過，我們在設法拋離對手之餘，亦須兼顧新商業活動帶來的各種考驗。今天想跟大家探討的，正是安全這個不容忽視的問題。
營商環境不斷改變，同時為航運從業員帶來安全的問題。隨?本地經濟持續增長，對貨物裝卸工作的需求有增無減，我們必須檢討有關安全的規定，為船上工作人員提供更完善的保障。在確保船上貨物裝卸安全方面，貴會與海事處多年來並肩合作。《商船（本地船舶）條例》及其附屬法例《商船（本地船隻）（工程）規例》在2007年生效實施，訂明在船上從事貨物裝卸工作的人員必須接受安全訓練，並就委任工程督導員、佩戴安全頭盔，以及僱主和工程負責人的一般責任作出規定。
這些安全規定實施至今已有三年，其間與貨物裝卸有關的意外事故大幅減少，令我深感欣慰。與十年前相比，有關意外造成的傷亡人數更是銳減五成，可見這些規定成效昭著。當然，我們不應就此沾沾自喜，反而要繼續努力，加強有關安全作業的宣傳、教育和執法工作。
在貨物裝卸工作方面，起重機操作員的作用舉足輕重，因此我們必須定期為起重機操作員提供有關船上貨物裝卸安全預防措施的最新資訊。海事處剛批准了海事訓練學院開辨“船上起重機操作員安全訓練複修課程”，課程即將接受業內人士報讀。貴會對這方面工作的支持從無間斷，絕對有助我們在業界推廣良好的安全文化。
香港現時有超過400艘躉船提供有效率的貨運服務。這些躉船的安全，由《商船（本地船隻）（安全及檢驗）規例》和相關的安全標準工作守則所規管。憑藉本地業界共同努力，躉船和駁船在香港的操作安全記錄相對良好。然而，近日在石澳和大浪咀發生的兩宗躉船翻沉事故，卻值得我們關注。雖然事故仍在調查階段，但我們懷疑兩宗意外的肇因，是船員對航線上的礙航物缺乏警覺，而對於在拖帶吃水深的躉船前應採取的預防措施，以及惡劣天氣對運載碎石等散貨的影響等等，亦缺乏充足意識。在此，我促請躉船船東或經營人留意這些事故的調查結果，更希望提醒船長，如須運載該等貨物，便要在開船前做好預防措施。與此同時，海事處亦會檢討運載碎石的躉船所須符合的穩性規定。
為確保船隻安全營運，我們會繼續與貴會合作，藉?制定工作守則、提供培訓機會，以及協助業界遵行規定等辦法，保障水上安全。倘若成效不彰，我們當然會從嚴處理，以透明的方式公平執法。
最後，再次多謝貴會邀請我和海事處其他同事出席這個愉快的聚會。謹祝貴會會務蒸蒸日上，各位生意興隆、事事順利！
It gives me great pleasure to join you all on this important occasion to celebrate the 47th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Cargo Vessel Traders’ Association. It is real achievement – and one that I am happy to salute here today.Asia’s economy is showing remarkable growth arising from the significant stimulus package provided by China.Inter Asia trade has shown the largest growth and now matches east west trade to the US and Europe where recovery from the 2008/09 recession is weak and faltering.Inter Asia trade expanding in routes, number and size of ships as well as cargo quantity provides opportunities for new business and it is important that Hong Kong is ready to seize this new business.In government we have been looking to reduce fee levels to maintain our competitive pricing edge over regional ports in order to attract ships to come here. I know that your association under President, Mr. Y.K. Wong, and Committee members, is doing likewise on the quality of port services provided.We must work to be successful whilst considering some of the challenges of new business activity.I will speak on one important aspect, safety.
Changing business conditions is a dynamic challenge to safety of personnel.As the local economy continues to grow and the demands increase on cargo handling operations, we need to review our requirements to improve safety conditions for our on board staff. Your Association has been our long-term partner in upholdingshipboard cargo handling safety.In 2007, the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance together with its Subsidiary (Works) Regulation was enacted to require mandatory safety training of personnel involved in shipboard cargo handling operations, the appointment of works supervisors, the wearing of safety helmets and lists of general duties of employers and persons in charge of works.
These safety requirementshave now been in operation for three years.I am pleased to say that there has been asignificant reduction in cargo handling accidents. To date the number of casualties has been halved in comparison with ten years ago, a very credible achievement.Of course, we can never afford to rest on our laurels and will continue to makegreater efforts in safety promotion, education and law enforcement.
Crane operators play an important role in cargo handling.It is important that they be regularly updated on the latest safety precautions to be taken during cargo handling operations on board. I am pleased to announce that the Marine Department has just approved the Maritime Services Training Institute to run the Shipboard Crane Operators Safety Training Refresher Course and this will soon be offered to the trade. The continual support of your Association in this endeavour has definitely helped us promote a good safety culture in our industry.
Hong Kong has over 400 barges providing efficient services for cargo transportation. The safety of these barges is regulated by the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels)(Safety and Survey) Regulation and the associated Code of Practice on Safety Standards. With the concerted effort of the industry, barge and lighter operations in Hong Kong enjoyed a relatively good safety record. However, two recent cases of barges capsizing in Shek O and Tai Long Tsui are a matter of concern.While the investigation is still undergoing, some of the major contributing factors to these two accidents appear relatedto the crew’s inadequate awareness of navigational hazards on the vessel route, precautions to be taken before towing a deep draught barge and the impact of adverse weather conditions on the carriage of bulk cargo like aggregates. We urge the barge owners or operators to take note of the findings of these incidents and remind their masters of the precautions to be taken before embarking on such a voyage. For our part Marine Department will carry out a review on the stability requirements for barges engaged in carriage of aggregates.
To ensure safe vessel operations, we will always work with your Association to ensure marine safety by providing codes of practice, offering training opportunities; and providing compliance assistance to the industry.Of course if these fail then we will be taking firm but fair and transparent enforcement action
To close thank you again for the kind invitation extended to me and to my staff in Marine Department to this wonderful occasion.I wish you all success and prosperity in the years that lie ahead of us.
