>Press Releases Home > Publications and press releases > Press Releases HK will not delay ISM Code implementation Hong Kong will neither extend the deadline for implementing the International Safety Management (ISM) Code nor entertain any exemption from any provisions of the ISM Code which will become effective internationally on July 1 this year, the Director of Marine, Mr Tsui Shung-yiu, said today (Tuesday). Speaking at a ceremony to present ISM certificates to 26 companies operating Hong Kong registered ships, Mr Tsui said that Hong Kong had taken an early decision on this issue and the Marine Department had developed its ISM Code implementation scheme. "ISM Code is considered a very significant international initiative and should be implemented without diluting the underlying objectives," Mr Tsui said. "The ISM Code can be implemented successfully only if everyone involved understand what they must do and extend the fullest co-operation to others who will be participating in the process." On the implementation deadline of ISM Code, Mr Tsui said: "The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has made it very clear that there is no extension of the implementation deadlines." "Also, the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee has also approved a draft resolution that authorises flag States to prohibit ships from sailing if they fail to comply with the ISM Code by the deadline," he added. In the process of developing the ISM Code implementation scheme, Mr Tsui noted that the Marine Department in 1995 had undertaken detailed consultation and discussion with the trade and industry through the Shipping Consultative Committee. Mr Tsui said : "The agreed arrangements for certification is a pragmatic compromise between the need for the Administration to have a hands-on control over the effective implementation and the economic benefits of utilising the expertise from the world-wide network of Classifications Societies." Mr Tsui further noted that the ISM Code will prove to be one of the most influential initiatives taken by the industry for ensuring safer ships and cleaner seas. "The ISM Code represents a component of invaluable importance to improve safety of life at sea and preserve the marine environment from pollution by ships," he said. Under the ISM Code, it requires that ships should carry a copy of the Document of Compliance (DOC) issued to the operating company and a Safety Management Certificate (SMC) issued to the vessel. The DOC and SMC, under the provisions of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS Convention), will be statutory safety certificates to be carried by the relevant ships for the compliance with ISM Code. An absence of ISM certificates on a ship will mean that the ship does not meet the SOLAS Convention requirement and should not be permitted to trade. Turning to the preparation for the ISM Code implementation, Mr Tsui noted that the ISM Code would first become mandatory for passenger ships, oil tankers, chemical tankers, gas carriers, bulk carriers and high speed craft on July 1 this year. He was also delighted to inform that the Marine Department had so far audited in conjunction with the Recognised Organisations all companies located in Hong Kong and operating Hong Kong registered ships. Mr Tsui said : "Eighty-five per cent of the companies operating Hong Kong registered ships and 78 per cent of the ships have already been audited." "I am confident that all Hong Kong registered ships required to carry the ISM certificates will comply with the ISM certification requirements by the deadline on July 1, 1998." On the actions on those ships failing to comply with ISM certification requirements, the Mr Tsui noted that his department intended to adopt a series of procedures. The first one is that ships not complying with ISM requirements will be detained if they come to Hong Kong after July 1, 1998. Secondly, such ships will be allowed to sail out provided they have no other detainable deficiency and the flag administration confirms that necessary action is being taken. Thirdly, the department will also advise such ships that they will not be allowed back to Hong Kong until they conform to ISM certification and that they will be kept on the watch list of the department's Vessel Traffic Centre. The fourth one is to inform the next port of ships' ISM deficiency. At the ceremony, the Mr Tsui thanked the early initiatives taken by the ships owners, ship managers and the assistance from the Hong Kong Shipowners Association which were attributable to the smooth progress of ISM certification. He further paid tribute to the Classification Societies who on behalf of the department audited the companies and the ships under extreme time pressures. Tuesday, 31 March 1998
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