On December 22, the Information Office of the State Council issued the white paper on Sustainable Development of China’s Transportation and held a press conference at 3pm on the same day.

The Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Waste was amended and adopted by the 17th meeting of the 13th Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on April 29, 2020, and will come into effect on September 1, 2020. In order to implement the revised contents concerning the import management of solid waste in the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Waste and do a good job in linking up relevant work, it is hereby announced relevant matters as follows:

 

Since ICS issued the first guidance to assist the global shipping industry in combating the spread of COVID-19 epidemic in March this year, the situation has changed dramatically. The world has been affected by the epidemic, with more than 32 million confirmed cases and more than 1 million deaths worldwide to date. In contrast, although the mortality rate and infection rate on board ships are almost zero, seafarers are at the same risk as the general population. The whole society especially the shipping industry must therefore recognize that adherence to health guidelines is essential to maintaining the current situation.

according to a circular from the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, the Hong Kong SAR Government has agreed to relax restrictions on crew changes for passenger ships,

According to a circular issued by the Hong Kong Shipowners' Association, after repeated discussions between the industry and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, the Secretary for Home Affairs of the SAR Government has formally approved the exemption of cargo ship crew from mandatory quarantine requirements under Section 599E of the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance. This exemption covers crew members of ships not engaged in cargo operations in Hong Kong, so as to facilitate crew shift change in Hong Kong.