THE Hong Kong Marine Department is offering a 50 per cent reduction in port facility fees, including light dues, as an incentive for ships to use cleaner fuels while berthing in the harbour.

    Registration commenced on September 17 for the fee reduction in port facilities and light dues. There will be two declaration forms to the Marine Department signed by the ship's master.

    The first declaration form shall be submitted to Marine Department no later than four hours after the vessel has switched to cleaner fuel while berthing in Hong Kong waters.

    The second declaration form, together with certified true copies of Bunker Delivery Note and Engine Room Log Book signed by the ship's master shall besubmitted to Marine Department within three days after the vessel has left Hong Kong waters.

    Separately, Finland is trying to sidestep, without defying, an EU ban that forbids such subsidies that Helsink wants to provide its carriers help to ease the expense of costly low-sulphur fuel that must be used in the Baltic, North Sea and English Channel.

    The European Union directive calls for its member states not to provide funding to help shipping and road transport companies meet lower sulphur fuel content mandates. Specifically, the European Council has warned Finland against introducing any state-funded fuel rebate scheme.