Pollution Control Unit (PCU) is responsible for provision of marine refuse cleansing services and handling oil discharges into sea.

Marine Refuse

• PCU manages a fleet of specialised refuse collection vessels, including three Sea Cleaners, and contracted vessels to provide a floating refuse scavenging and collection service.
• A total of about 2,400 tonnes of floating refuse and domestic refuse from vessels are collected annually. Littering the waters of Hong Kong is an offence and liable to a fine of HK$10,000 and 6 months imprisonment.
• Reports of floating refuse and marine littering can be made to the 24-hour hotline (Tel (852)1823).

Sea Cleaner

• We are one in keeping our harbour clean (Leaflet)

Oil Pollution

• PCU regularly inspects vessels bunkering/transferring oil in Hong Kong waters and advises the masters on the precautions to be taken.
• It also checks oil terminals to ensure that their anti-oil pollution equipment is sufficient.
• It is on call 24 hours a day. Reports of oil discharges can be made to the Vessel Traffic Centre (Tel (852)2233-7801) or to the Harbour Patrol Section (Tel (852)2385-2791) or the 24-hour hotline (Tel (852)1823).

MD 59

An oil spill response team equipped with both surface spillage recovery and chemical dispersing systems

• Prevent Oil Spill into the Sea, Reduce Harbour Pollution (Leaflet)

Use of the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre at Tsing Yi for disposal of oily and chemical wastes (MARPOL waste)

• The owner or agent or master of an ocean-going vessel from which it is intended to discharge polluting waste shall, not less than 72 hours prior to the arrival of the vessel, submit the duly completed Service Order Form to the Central Marine Office, Marine Department.
• Copies of this Notice and the Service Order Form may be obtained free of charge from the Central Marine Office, 3/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong.
• Details of the revised charging scheme are contained in the Legal Supplement No. 2 to the Hong Kong Government Gazette No. 18/2008 - Legal Notice 99 of 2008.

Ship Refuse Reception Service

• Ship-owners, agents, masters and port operators are reminded that the Marine Department provides a domestic refuse collection service to ships in Victoria Harbour, Junk Bay and the Western Anchorages.
• The service is provided free of charge daily from 0900 to 1600 hours except Sunday, Public Holidays or when tropical signal No. 3 or above is hoisted.
• Domestic refuse does not include any operational waste or cargo residue defined under Annex I to IV of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 as amended by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78), or other hazardous cargo residue.
• Masters requiring the service must ensure that domestic refuse has been separated from other waste prior to discharge.
• Requests for the service should be made during office hours to the Pollution Control Unit of Marine Department at telephone +852 2534 7227 and +852 2534 7228 or at any hours by fax +852 2543 6877. Details, such as quantity of the domestic refuse (in cubic metres); the name and location of the vessel, shall be provided when making the request.