SIMIC

Crews from of such non-cargo goods vessels visiting Hong Kong for shipping services, will be exempt from the curbs, said the Marine Department in letter to shipping community.

"This is a long overdue relaxation as the trade had already demonstrated to the health authority here in Hong Kong that there is no human contact throughout the process," said Frankie Yick, a transport sector legislator.

Hong Kong's bunkering industry, which is among the world's top 10, was hit hard by the strict 14-day quarantine requirement imposed on crew of vessels calling for reasons other than to load or discharge cargo.

Ship operators opted instead to refuel in neighboring ports, such as China, Singapore and Taiwan, several industry sources said.

Mr Yick said Hong Kong's bunkering industry was "seriously affected" by last year's restrictions, which took volumes down by about 70 per cent from levels before the pandemic.

Before the curbs, Hong Kong had typically supplied about 500,000 tonnes of bunker each month.