Circular Letters

ArchiveArchive

Subject Issued on
Contact for Exemption/Dispensation after Office Hour  
Dedicated 24-Hour Hotline for Application of Dispensation 23 April 2021
Dispensation/Exemption Issued Outside Hong Kong Office Hours 7 July 2021
 
PSC Matters  
New Inspection Regime of the Tokyo MOU
Press Release - Tokyo MOU will introdice a new inspection regime (NIR) from 1st January 2014
25 February 2013
Vessel Detention due to Violation of Seafarer Agreement 26 July 2018
Port State Control Detention due to Malfunction of Emergency Generator 16 May 2019
Tokyo MOU and Paris MOU Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Emergency Systems and Procedures from 1 September to 30 November 2019
Annex 1 (Guidance)
2 August 2019
Port State Detention of Hong Kong Registered Ships in Australia Ports
PSC inspection (Pre-arrival) Checklist - PDF fillable version (July 2020)
26 November 2020
Tokyo MOU and Paris MOU Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Ship’s Stability in General from 1 September to 30 November 2021
Annex 1 (Guidance)
6 August 2021
Port State Control (PSC) Detention of Hong Kong-registered Ships at Ports of Indonesia 3 November 2021
PSC Detainable Deficiencies related to Pilot Transfer Arrangements and Safe Handling of Hatch Covers 20 May 2022
Tokyo MOU and Paris MOU Concentrated Inspection Campaign on STCW from 1 September to 30 November 2022
Annex 1 (Guidance)
10 August 2022
Port State Control (PSC) Detentions of Hong Kong Registered Ships by United States Coast Guard (USCG) in 2022
PSC Inspection (Pre-arrival) Checklist - PDF fillable version (July 2020)
29 September 2022
QUALSHIP21 Status for 2023 4 November 2022
Port State Control (PSC) Detainable Deficiencies related to Discharging Nozzles of Fixed Fire-Fighting Systems
Annex 1
Annex 2
3 February 2023
Port State Control (PSC) Detention of Hong Kong Registered Ships in Australia
Annex 1
26 June 2023
Tokyo MOU and Paris MOU Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Fire Safety from 1 September to 30 November 2023
Annex 1 (Guidance)
10 August 2023
 
 
MARPOL Matters  
Discharging of Cargo Hold Bilge Water 2 November 2011
MARPOL Reporting Requirements 22 August 2013
Updates of the EU regulation on Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions (EU MRV) 27 December 2017
Port State Control Detention due to MARPOL Violation 15 June 2018
Updates of MARPOL Annex VI on Data Collection System for Fuel Oil Consumption (IMO DCS) 18 July 2018
Collection and Reporting of Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Data 29 October 2021
2021 Revised MARPOL Annex VI requirements on verification of attained EEXI and information of CII in SEEMP 17 August 2022
2021 Revised MARPOL Annex VI requirements on verification of attained EEXI and information of CII in SEEMP (Reminder) 17 November 2022
 
Loadline Matters  
Guidelines for Hong Kong Registered Ships Assigned with Multiple Load Lines (Verification the Change of Freeboard) 27 December 2012
 
SOLAS Matters  
Guidelines for Periodic Servicing and Maintenance of Lifeboats, Launching Appliances and on-load Release Gear 4 September 2006
Maintenance of Portable Foam Extinguishers 1 June 2007
Maintenance and Inspections of Fixed Carbon Dioxide Fire-extinguishing Systems on Hong Kong Registered Ships 18 March 2010
Review on Hours of Rest onboard Hong Kong Registered Ships 15 March 2011
Some Frequently Asked Technical Information / Requirements for Hong Kong Registered Cargo Ships 20 April 2011
Mandatory Carriage and Training Requirements for Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) Please also see the Erratum Circular dated 30 August 2012 14 August 2012
Erratum to Circular letter dated 14 August 2012 Mandatory Carriage and Training Requirements for Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) 30 August 2012
Security Related Trainings for Seafarers 9 November 2012
Application for the issue of a Minimum Safe Manning Certificate as per IMO Res. A.1047(27)
Annex I, Annex II, Annex III (Please refer to new MSIN No. 29/2019)
19 September 2013
Implementation of the Manila amendments to STCW Convention and Code
Annex I (Please refer to new MSIN No. 29/2019)
Application for the Reissuance of MSMC in accordance with the Manila Amendments (DOC) (Please refer to new MSIN No. 29/2019)
4 July 2016
Reissuance of Minimum Safe Manning Certificate In Accordance with the STCW 2010 Manila Amendments (Please refer to new MSIN No. 29/2019) 30 December 2016
Updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Annex 1 of FAQ on the Website of Marine Department 31 August 2021
 
STCW Matters  
Circular letter for electronic HK Licence and electronic Official Log Book
Annex 1 - Specimen of electronic Hong Kong Licence (e-HKL)
Annex 2 - Verification of Electronic Hong Kong Licence and Hong Kong Licence
Annex 3 - Electronic Official Log Book (e-OLB) prescribed form
30 August 2023
 
ISPS Matters  
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement 29 December 2008
Ship Movement Report Form  
Adoption of New Contact Details for Marine Management System (MMS), inclusive of International Safety Management (ISM) and International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) issues on Hong Kong Registered Ships 1 December 2020
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 01/2021) 1 February 2021
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 02/2021) 22 February 2021
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 03/2021) 29 March 2021
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 04/2021) 21 April 2021
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 05/2021) 12 May 2021
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 06/2021) 15 June 2021
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 07/2021) 19 July 2021
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 08/2021) 24 August 2021
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 09/2021) 27 September 2021
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 10/2021) 25 October 2021
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 11/2021) 25 November 2021
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 12/2021) 16 December 2021
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 01/2022) 24 January 2022
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 02/2022) 23 February 2022
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 04/2022) 4 April 2022
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 05/2022) 22 April 2022
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 06/2022) 13 May 2022
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 07/2022) 17 May 2022
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 08/2022) 27 June 2022
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 09/2022) 26 July 2022
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 10/2022) 24 August 2022
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 11/2022) 26 September 2022
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 12/2022) 24 October 2022
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 13/2022) 28 November 2022
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 14/2022) 28 December 2022
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 1/2023) 26 January 2023
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 2/2023) 22 February 2023
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 3/2023) 24 March 2023
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 4/2023) 28 April 2023
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 5/2023) 29 May 2023
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 6/2023) 26 June 2023
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 7/2023) 27 July 2023
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 8/2023) 28 August 2023
Chinese Naval Vessels Escort Arrangement – Update (Circular No. 9/2023) 27 September 2023
 
Bunker Convention & 1992 Civil Liability Convention  
Application Form of CLC (Updated in June 2021) (Effective from 28 June 2021)
Notes of Guidance for Application of CLC (Updated in June 2021) (Effective from 28 June 2021)

Application Form of BCC (Updated in June 2021) (Effective from 28 June 2021)
Notes of Guidance for Application of BCC (Updated in June 2021) (Effective from 28 June 2021)

Criteria for acceptance of Insurance Companies
1 December 2022
 
The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks  
Application for the "Certificate of Insurance or Other Financial Security in Respect of Civil Liability for Wreckage Removal (WRC)" Issued by Mainland Authority
申領由內地當局代香港簽發的《殘骸清除責任保險或其它財務保證證書》
5 June 2018
Annex 1 , Annex 2 (Last updated in October 2020)
附件一 , 附件二 (於2020年10月更新)

 

 

 
LRIT Matters  
LRIT circular No. 1/2009 23 October 2009
LRIT circular No. 1/2011 18 October 2011
LRIT circular No. 1/2016
Traditional Chinese version (中文版)
Simplified Chinese version (中文版)
26 October 2016
LRIT circular No. 1/2019 19 August 2019
Application Form for temporary suspension / resuming LRIT transmission  
 
Security and Quality Advisory  
Security and Quality Advisory No. 14 - Placing Security Personnel on Board HK Registered Ships 16 February 2011
Security and Quality Advisory No. 25 - Ship's Security Consultants - Alleged Illegal Shooting 23 March 2012
Security and Quality Advisory No. 27 - Revised Interim Guidance to Shipowners, Ship Operators and Shipmasters on the use of Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel (PCASP) on board Ships in the High Risk Area

IMO MSC.1/Circ. 1405/Rev.2
9 August 2012
Security and Quality Advisory No. 30 - New Arrangement on Access of IMO Information 3 October 2012
Security and Quality Advisory No. 31 - ISPS Drill and Ship-Shore Exercise 8 October 2012
Security and Quality Advisory No. 38 - Implementation and Clarification of Security-Related Training
Merchant Shipping Information Note (MSIN) No. 20/2014
Annex 1
Annex 2
30 April 2014
Security and Quality Advisory No. 41 - Libyan Air Force Notice Regarding Port of Misrata and Airstrike on Tanker in Libyan Waters 20 January 2015
Security and Quality Advisory No. 42 - Directions and refusal of access to Australian ports 5 March 2015
Security and Quality Advisory No. 55 - Piracy and Armed Robbery Incidents Reported by Hong Kong Ships in 2018 27 September 2018
Security and Quality Advisory No. 56 - Piracy and Armed Robbery Incidents Report by Hong Kong Ships in 2019 10 December 2019
Security and Quality Advisory No. 59 - Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) 30 June 2020
Security and Quality Advisory No. 60 - Stowaway Incidents Reported by Hong Kong Registered Ships 30 June 2020
Security and Quality Advisory No. 62 - Reporting Maritime Incident to the Hong Kong Marine Department (HKMD) 30 June 2020
Security and Quality Advisory No. 63 - Piracy and Armed Robbery Incidents Reported by Hong Kong Registered Ships in West Africa in 2020 8 October 2020
Security and Quality Advisory No. 64 - Disabled Automatic Identification System (AIS) on board Hong Kong Registered Ships 18 December 2020
Security and Quality Advisory No. 65 - Revised Industry Counter Piracy Guidance 5 November 2021
Security and Quality Advisory No. 70 - Security Incidents in Macapa, Brazil Reported by Hong Kong Registered Ships in 2022 8 August 2022
Security and Quality Advisory No. 71 - Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI – United Nations arms embargo on Libya
IMO Circular Letter No. 4655
30 November 2022
Security and Quality Advisory No. 72 - Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery in Asia
28 November 2022
Security and Quality Advisory No. 73 - Drug Smuggling Cases Reported by Hong Kong Registered Ships 20 March 2023
Security and Quality Advisory No. 74 - Security situation in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea 31 August 2023
 
General Ship Safety Issues  
Radiation Measurements at Japanese Ports 28 April 2011
CD ROM Received after Flag Registration 12 September 2011
U.S. Coast Guard Termination of its 2MHz Distress Watchkeeping Service
attachment
26 June 2013
Carrying Nickel Ore in Bulk 17 October 2017
Recognized Organization - DNV GL changes name to DNV 26 February 2021
Precautions when Navigating in Fishing Areas in Ningbo-Zhoushan port, P.R. China
Annex 1
3 May 2021
Main Public Routes along the Coast of Zhejiang, China
Annex 1
15 October 2021
Australian Maritime Safety Authority Marine Notice 9/2021- Focused Inspection Campaign- Planned Maintenance
Annex 1
Annex 2
10 January 2022
 
Equivalent Arrangements Accepted under Regulation I/5 of SOLAS  
SLS.14-Circ.490 Stored mechanical power for rescue boat launching appliances 5 March 2013
SLS.14-Circ.492 MF/HF direct-printing telegraphy equipment 15 April 2013
Butterfly Valve in lieu of Screw-down Valve at collision bulkhead 19 December 2019
 
MLC Matters  
ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, Entry into force ¡V 20 August 2013 (Errata) 27 August 2013
ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 - Frequently Asked Questions 17 September 2013
Amendments of 2014 to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006
Attachment
HKMD-DMLC Part I Supplement (DOC)
Revised HKMD-DMLC Part II (DOC)
11 November 2016
Supplementary to Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance - Part II
Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance - Part II (DOC)
6 December 2016
Extension of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 to Hong Kong 16 October 2018
Application for Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance, DMLC Part I under Cap.478AF
Annex 1 : Application form
Annex 2 : Sample of DMLC Part 1
2 January 2019
The amendments of 2016 to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006 8 February 2019
Medicines and Medical Stores for Hong Kong Registered Ships 22 February 2019
Responsibility of Shipowners and Ship Managers over Seafarer Wages 25 September 2019
Extension of Crew Agreement Service Period for Seafarers Working On Board Hong Kong Registered Ships in response to the Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus 7 February 2020
Guidance on the prevention and control of COVID-19 on board ships 4 May 2020
Extension of Crew Agreement Service Period in response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
Record of Sea Services and Seafarers' Employment Agreement (SEA) under Covid-19
Circular Letter No.4204/Add 14 Rev 1, Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Recommended framework of protocols for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
31 July 2020
Amendments of 2018 to the Code of the Maritime Labour Convention (“MLC”), 2006 (“Amendments”)
Content of the amendments
9 December 2020
Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Marine Notice 10/2020 - “Updated Temporary Arrangements for the Maximum Period of Shipboard Service for Seafarers during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
Enclosure
23 December 2020
Delivery of Copies of Crew Agreement and Lists of Crew
“Agreement and Lists of the Crew” (HKENG 1)
“Lists of Crew” (HKENG 2)
11 February 2021
Prevention of COVID-19 and protection of seafarers
5 May 2021
Standard Clauses for Crew Agreement for Hong Kong Registered Sea-going Ship
Annex 1
Annex 2
Annex 2(Traditional Chinese version)
Annex 2(Simplified Chinese version)
9 September 2021
COVID-19 Vaccination for Seafarers
17 Decemober 2021
Seafarers with extended service period on board 13 June 2022
The Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) (Working and Living Conditions) (Amendment) Regulation 2019
Draft Amended DMLC - Part I
Application Form
1 August 2023
 
Application of Exemption and Dispensation  
New arrangement and E-mail Address for applying Exemption/Dispensation
Application for Dispensation
Application for Dispensation of Manning
20 June 2014
Exemption Database System
16 October 2015
 
ISM Matters  
Audit of ISM Activities Performed in Places other than the Company Address Registered in DOC 15 July 2013
Duty to Report on Change of Ship Management 10 October 2013
International Safety Management (ISM) Code - Transfer of Ship management of vessels 27 December 2013
International Safety Management (ISM) Code Clause 12.1 – Internal Audit

IMO circular MSC-MEPC 7/Circ.8 “Revised Guidelines For The Operational Implementation of The International Safety Management (ISM) Code By Companies
27 May 2014
Types of Ships listed on the Document of Compliance (DOC) 4 August 2014
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on International Safety Management (ISM) Matters

FAQ

ISM Owner Declaration Form (DOC)

DPA & CSO Contact Information Form (DOC)
22 June 2018
Adoption of New Contact Details for Marine Management System (MMS), inclusive of International Safety Management (ISM) and International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) issues on Hong Kong Registered Ships 1 December 2020
 
Recycling of Ships  
European Union (EU) Ship Recycling Regulation (SRR) 26 January 2021