VZCZCXRO3879
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH
DE RUEHHK #0332 0570718
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 260718Z FEB 10
FM AMCONSUL HONG KONG
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9727
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS HONG KONG 000332
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ETTC KNNP IR HK
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: DENIAL OF PORT ENTRY TO IRAN'S
UNINSURED FLEET
REF: SECSTATE 16220
1. (SBU) On February 26, Economic/Political Chief delivered
reftel points to Hong Kong's Marine Department Director Roger
Tupper. Tupper stated no Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping
Line (IRISL) or Hafiz Darya Shipping (HDS) vessels had
entered Hong Kong waters in recent memory. In the event such
vessels tried to enter Hong Kong, Tupper explained Marine
Department's policy was to admit all vessels (under Port of
Refuge principle) but reserve the right to detain
non-seaworthy vessels. Such vessels would essentially be
quarantined south of Hong Kong's Lamma Island away from port
traffic. According to Tupper, the Marine Department conducts
Port State Control (PSC) inspections on all visiting non-Hong
Kong registered ships for international maritime convention
compliance, including for insufficient liability insurance
coverage.
2. (SBU) Director Tupper informed us that, although neither
IRISL nor HDS operated in Hong Kong, at least two
Iranian-based ship management companies had vessels
registered in Hong Kong. To retain their Hong Kong-flag
status, however, these vessels had to comply with Hong Kong's
Shipping Ordinances and UN Sanctions Regulations/Ordinances.
(Note: Hong Kong has implemented UN Security Council
Resolutions 1737, 1747, and 1803 on Iran, and 1718 and 1847
on North Korea through local UN Sanctions
Regulations/Ordinances. End Note).
MARUT