Introduction of Electronic Certificates for Hong Kong local vessels

The Marine Department of the Government of Hong Kong has issued notice No. 121/2024 on implementing Electronic Certificates and Electronic Documents for local vessels and their operators in Hong Kong.

Starting 5 July 2024, Hong Kong implements electronic certificates (e-certs) for local vessels and their operators. This change is part of a broader initiative to enhance marine services, as announced in the Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address. The new system aims to replace traditional paper certificates with electronic versions, which will be more secure and easier to verify.

Key features of the e-certs include protection against unauthorized changes, a unique tracking number for verification, and an official symbol from the Marine Department to confirm authenticity. Until their expiry dates, existing paper certificates will remain valid alongside the new electronic ones.

To verify an e-cert, users can either enter its unique tracking number on the Marine Department's verification website or scan a QR code on the certificate. Additional steps, like entering a Captcha code, may be required for verification. For certificates issued to seafarers, extra precautions are in place to safeguard personal information.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

Implementation of Electronic Certificates and Electronic Documents for local vessels and their operators in Hong Kong