Ship Registration in Hong Kong
Encyclopedia
The Hong Kong Shipping Register was set up in 1990 under the Hong Kong Merchant Shipping (Registration) Ordinance. Since the transfer of sovereignty by the United Kingdom in 1997, Hong Kong is authorised under the Basic Law by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, using the name “Hong Kong, China” to maintain a separate shipping registration system.

In April 1999, the Hong Kong Government launched some new measures to improve the ship registration system in Hong Kong. By cooperation of government and shipping industry, the total tonnage of ship registry in Hong Kong has been reached 40.37 millions tonnages and over 1,360 vessels registered in January 2009.

Ship registry fee

The first registration fee
Registration fee
Registration fee, a term which is used for different registrations is also a fee levied on property transactions by state governments in India....

 for a ship is determined according to its Gross Tonnage
Gross tonnage
Gross tonnage is a unitless index related to a ship's overall internal volume. Gross tonnage is different from gross register tonnage...

 (GT).
First Registration Fee (based on GT)
Gross Tonnage of Ships Registration Fee (HK$)
500GT or below 3,500
over 500GT 15,000

The annual tonnage charge for a ship is determined referring to its Net Tonnage (NT). The charge would not exceed HK$100,000.
Annual Tonnage Fee (based on NT)
Net Tonnage of Ships Fee (HK$)
1,000 or below 1,500
5,000 15,500
10,000 33,000
15,000 50,500
20,000 65,500
30,000 95,500
31,500 or upwards 100,000

Ships Profit Taxation

Income derived from the international trade
International trade
International trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services across international borders or territories. In most countries, such trade represents a significant share of gross domestic product...

 of Hong Kong registered ships is exempted from profits tax. HKSAR has also entered into double taxation relief agreements with 12 countries which include:

1.China
2.USA
3.United Kingdom
4.South Korea
5.New Zealand
6.Netherlands
7.Singapore
8.Belgium
9.Denmark
10.Sri Lanka
11.Norway
12.Germany

Registration procedures

There are 3 types of registration: Full Registration, Provisional Registration and Bare Boat Charter Registration. The registration procedures are simplified which only requires submitting:
    • Application Form;
    • Authority Form for making and signing applications and declarations;
    • Declaration of entitlement to ensure the ownership of ships.

Preferential port dues

Hong Kong registered ships can enjoy about 30% preferential port dues in mainland China port since January 2000. In order to reduce port and light dues for Hong Kong registered ships, HKSAR expects to sign up agreements with other countries which having two-tier charging system.

Quality Assurance System

A. Flag State Quality Control (FSQC) System

It is based on an information system to monitor the quality of Hong Kong registered ships. By analyzing and collecting the information, unqualified conditions of a ship will be identified for Flag State inspection.



B. Pre-registration Quality Control (PRQC) System

Marine Department will inspect the ship’s condition before the ship registered in Hong Kong. The ship should meet all safety and pollution prevention standards announced by International Maritime Organization at the time of entry.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK