Title

Submission of stowage onboard location of DG containers

Submission of stowage onboard location of DG containers has been temporarily resumed as optional until further notice, however details of stowage locations must be carried onboard.

Application for a Pleasure Vessel Certificate by Assessment Agency Exam

With effect on 1 August 2023, the Electronic Business System (eBS) will provide e-service for submission of "Application for a Pleasure Vessel Certificate by Assessment Agency Exam" to the River Trade and Local Examination Section. Candidates who pass the Pleasure Vessel Operator Grade 2 Examinations conducted by an assessment agency (e.g. PEAK) may make use of the service to apply for a certificate.

For the usage of the eBS service, please contact the eBS support team at (852) 9480 0115. For enquiries regarding the application for a Pleasure Vessel Operator Certificate, please contact the River Trade and Local Examination Section at (852) 2852 4895 or (852) 2852 4896.

Electronic Signature Support for Public Form Submission Service

With effect on 8 March 2023, the Public Form Submission Services will support electronic signature. Please refer to the Public Form Submission Service page for a list of organizational/personal digital certificate accepted for electronic signature.

Please contact the eBS support team at (852) 9480 0115 if you have any enquiries related to the use of eBS.

Ship Registration & Cargo/Passenger Ships Service

With effect on 1 July 2022, the Electronic Business System (eBS) will provide e-service for application of service under Ship Registration Services Section, Cargo Ship Safety Section and Passenger Ship Safety Section.

Please contact the eBS support team at (852) 9480 0115 if you have any enquiries related to the use of eBS.

Revision of the Public Forms No. MD501, MD502, MD503, MD504 and MD505

Subsequent to the completion of legislative review of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap. 295) and its subsidiary legislation come into operation on 2022-03-31, the Public Forms no. MD501, MD502, MD503, MD504 and MD505 have therefore been revised. With effect from immediately, revised forms should be adopted for all submissions/applications.

Waiver of Government Fees

The Financial Secretary announced a package of waiver measures on fees and charges on 25 August 2021 to support businesses, especially small and medium enterprises.

For details, please refer to the "Waiver of Government Fees".

Enhance Strong Password Security Measure

With effect on 11 August 2021, to enhance the security of Electronic Business System (eBS), the password requirement will be updated. After the existing password validity period, eBS users are required to update the password according to new strong password requirement.

New Password Requirement

- Use a password with a mix of at least eight mixed-case alphabetic characters, numerals and special characters

- The last 8 passwords shall not be re-used

- Password shall be changed at least every 90 days

Please contact the eBS support team at (852) 9480 0115 if you have any enquiries related to the use of eBS.

Public Form Submission Services

With effect on 30 June 2021, the Electronic Business System (eBS) will provide e-service for Non-registered Users to use the Public Form Submission Services.

Please contact the eBS support team at (852) 9480 0115 if you have any enquiries related to the use of eBS.

For enquiries on the submission of public form related to the Licensing and Port Formalities Section, please contact at (852) 2852 3082 or 2852 3058.

For enquiries on the submission of public form related to the Ship Registration Services Section, please contact at (852) 2852 4387, 2852 4421, 2852 3066.

Local Vessel Port Formalities Services

With effect on 26 June 2021, the Electronic Business System (eBS) will provide e-service for Non-registered User (for Local Class IV Vessels Only) to submit “Application for Declaration of Local Vessel Arrival/Departure”, “Change Information of Port Clearance” and “Download of Latest Valid Port Clearance/Composite Permit” to Licensing and Port Formalities Section.

Please contact eBS support team at (852) 9480 0115 if you have any enquiries related to the use of eBS. For enquiries on the submission of these applications, please contact the Licensing and Port Formalities Section at (852) 2852 3081.

Cancellation of Night-staying Permit

Please be informed that no Night-staying Permit would be required with effect from 01 Jun 2021. If any type III vessel carrying Class 1 Dangerous Goods (Explosive) on board would staying over-night at Western Dangerous Goods Anchorage, notification in writing to the Dangerous Goods Unit of the Marine Department will need to be given.

If you have any enquiry, please contact staff of the Dangerous Goods Unit of the Marine Department at (852) 2852 4913.

Seafarer & Examination Services

With effect on 19 April 2021, the Electronic Business System (eBS) will provide e-service for submission of “Application for a Pleasure Vessel Operator Certificate of Competency (Grade 2) Examination” and “Process Existing Application for a Pleasure Vessel Operator Certificate of Competency (Grade 2)” to the River Trade and Local Examination Section.

Please be reminded that reschedule must be done 10 working days before the original exam.

Please contact eBS support team at (852) 9480 0115 if you have any enquiries related to the use of eBS. For enquiries on the submission of these applications, please contact the River Trade and Local Examination Section at (852) 2852 4895 or (852) 2852 4896.

Seafarer & Examination Services Suspension on 9 October 2020

The system upgrade will be carried out from 6:00pm to 11:00pm on 9 October (Hong Kong Time). During the system upgrade, the Seafarer & Examination Services in eBS will be temporarily suspended.

Should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact eBS Support Team at (852)9480 0115 during office hour.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Waiver of Government Fees

The Financial Secretary announced a package of waiver measures on fees and charges on 23 September 2020 to support businesses, especially small and medium enterprises.

For details, please refer to the "Waiver of Government Fees".

Pre-arrival notification of fishing vessel carrying Antarctic Marine Organisms

With effect from 16 June 2020, the electronic Business System (eBS) will provide e-service for submission of “Pre-arrival Notification Form for Fishing Vessels Carrying Antarctic Marine Organisms” (“Notification Form”) to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

Note: the completed Notification Form must be submitted to the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation not less than 48 hours before the intended entry of the fishing vessel. For more information and guidelines on submission of the Notification Form, please visit www.afcd.gov.hk/ccamlr.

Please contact eBS support team at tel. no. (852) 9480 0115 if you have any enquiries related to the use of eBS. For enquiries on submission of the Notification Form, please contact the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department at (852) 2150 6634 or email to ccamlr@afcd.gov.hk.

Announcement of Hotline number Change

Please be informed that the hotline number 9480 0115 to replace the current number 8108 2812 with effective from 12 March 2020. Kindly update your contact information.

Revision of the Public Forms No. MD507, MD508 and MD510

The Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) encourages public authorities require only essential information to be furnished; and keep the number of items to a minimum for the port formalities to facilitate maritime transport.

The Public Forms no. MD507, MD508 and MD510 have therefore been revised and improved, in particular, some of the cargo throughput items were removed from these forms.

Waiver of Government Fees

The Financial Secretary announced a package of waiver measures on fees and charges on 15 August 2019 to support businesses, especially small and medium enterprises.

For details, please refer to the "Waiver of Government Fees".

e-Cert Submission (OGV) Launched

Marine Department has launched a new online service for shipping agents to submit e-Certificate for Ocean-going Vessels via the Electronic Business System (eBS).

Please feel free to contact eBS support team at tel. no. 8108 2812 if you have any enquiry.

eBS phase 3 will be launched on 12 December 2018

Marine Department is enhancing the e-Business System (eBS) and the new system, eBS3, will be launched on 12 December 2018.

The new system conforms to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA requirements to the maximum extent possible.

The new system also adopts responsive web design which provides an optimal viewing and interaction experience to users. The web page is easy to read and navigate with a minimum effort of resizing, panning, ands scrolling across a wide range of devices (from stationed desktop computers to mobile devices like smart-phones and tablets).

Please feel free to contact eBS support team at tel. no. 8108 2812 if you have any enquiry.

For details, please refer to the "new design".

New Design of eBS Website

eBS will have a new look on its main page starting from 2018-05-30, while the services and web pages after login will remain unchanged.

The new design fits the web pages to different screen sizes (including desktops, tablets and phones) as well as makes them more accessible to people with disabilities. Please note that the new login will be moved to new position.

For details, please refer to "NEW DESIGN". If you have any enquiry, please feel free to contact eBS support team at tel. no. 8108 2812.

Two new e-Payment Options will be Introduced on eBS

Effective from 1 MAY 2018, the JCB and Union Pay payment options are available for the transactions on "Request for Transcript of Register", "Application for issue of Seafarer Licence" and "Application for Renewal of Operating Licence for Non-Survey Required Local Vessel". For details, please refer to the "eBS Client Portal User Manual".

New e-Payment Options Introduced on Application for Renewal of Operating Licence for Non-Survey Required Local Vessel

From now on, a new credit card payment option is available for the transactions on "Application for Renewal of Operating Licence for Non-Survey Required Local Vessel". For details, please refer to the "eBS Client Portal User Manual".

All e-Forms will be replaced by new web forms

To keep up with the latest web technology, eBS is going to deploy new web forms to replace the existing e-Forms.

The new design conforms to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA requirements to the maximum extent possible.

The new design also adopts responsive web design which provides an optimal viewing and interaction experience to users. The web page is easy to read and navigate with a minimum effort of resizing, panning, and scrolling across a wide range of devices (from stationed desktop computers to mobile devices like smart-phones and tablets).

With effective from 16 AUGUST 2017, all e-Form applications will adopt the new design and users could continue to enjoy all the existing services. Please feel free to contact eBS support team at tel. no. 8108 2812 if you have any enquiry.

For details, please refer to the "new design".

New Web Form Design for e-Forms will be launched

To keep up with the latest web technology, eBS is going to re-develop existing e-Forms to adopt a new web form design by stages.

The new design conforms to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA requirements to the maximum extent possible.

The new design also adopts responsive web design which provides an optimal viewing and interaction experience to users. The web page is easy to read and navigate with a minimum of resizing, panning, and scrolling across a wide range of devices (from stationed desktop computers to mobile devices like smart-phones and tablets).

With effective from 11 JANUARY 2017, some application forms will adopt the new design and users could continue to enjoy all the existing services. Please feel free to contact eBS support team at tel. no. 8108 2812 if you have any enquiry.

For details, please refer to the "new design".

Application for Renewal of Operating Licence for Non-Survey Required Local Vessels Launched

Marine Department has launched a new online service for vessel owners to apply for renewal of full operating licence for non-survey required local vessels via the Electronic Business System (eBS). Vessel owners could select "OTHER SERVICES -- Local Vessel Services -- Application for Renewal of Operating Licence for Non-Survey Required Local Vessel" on this webpage for details and/or making application. Please feel free to contact eBS support team at tel. no. 8108 2812 if you have any enquiry.

New e-Payment Options Introduced on eBS

From now on, the PPS payment option is available for most applications. Meanwhile, a new credit card payment option is also available for the transactions on "Request for Transcript of Register" and "Application for issue of Seafarer Licence". For details, please refer to the "eBS Client Portal User Manual".

Change Payment Method launched

You may make use of the new “Change Payment Method” function to change the payment method of an unsettled payment. For details, please refer to the "eBS Client Portal User Manual".

FAQ 4 and FAQ 9 were updated.

Q4: What are the system requirements?

Q9: Why does the browser hang at the e-Form loading screen?

Batch Submission for Repair Permits launched

Batch Submission for Repair Permits launched.

eBS does not support the Internet Explorer 11

eBS does not support the Internet Explorer 11 released on 17 October 2013.

Please be advised not to upgrade your Internet Explorer to version 11. Otherwise, please use other browsers, e.g. Firefox.

Batch Submission for Free Pratique (River Trade/Passenger Vessel) launched

Batch Submission for Free Pratique (River Trade/Passenger Vessel) launched on 22-01-2013.

Application for Port Facilities and Light Dues Incentive Scheme launched

Application for Facilities and Light Dues Incentive Scheme launched.

Q10 and Q11 were added to EBS FAQ

Q10: Why does the browser hang at the e-Form loading screen?

Q11: Why do I being logged out by the system frequently?

Application for Free Pratique (River Trade/Passenger Vessel) launched

Application for Free Pratique (River Trade/Passenger Vessel) launched.

Dangerous Goods Notification launched

"Notification Form", "Notification Form (Amendment of Information)" and "Cancellation of Existing Notification" launched.

eBS – Application for various types of "Dangerous Goods Permits"

Marine Department has now provided eBS Users with a newly added online service - Application for various types of "Dangerous Goods Permits". Other than no constraint of "Office Hours" when making use of the online service, its user-friendly interface can also let the completion of the application form becoming more efficient and convenient. Please feel free to contact eBS support team at tel. no. 8108 2812 if you have any enquiry.

Self Password Reset function launched

Have you ever forgotten your password? What can you do if it happens outside office hours? A new function has been launched in eBS for users to reset the password of their accounts at any time. For details, please refer to the user manual. You may also contact the eBS support team at tel. 8108 2812 for further enquiries.

Nationality Code Reference Table updated

HKSAR Immigration Department has updated the Nationality Code Reference Table on 15 December 2009. The updating included the nationality code of CZECH REPUBLIC, MONTENEGRO (REPUBLIC OF), ROMANIA, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO, SERBIA (REPUBLIC OF), SLOVAK REPUBLIC and ZAMBIA.

Dangerous Goods Manifest Submission enhanced

To provide a more user-friendly system, Marine Department has enhanced the function for submitting Dangerous Goods Manifest. eBS Users are now able to submit the application by uploading pre-defined excel file in order to increase the work efficiency. Please feel free to contact eBS support team at tel. no. 8108 2812 if you have any enquiry.

eBS Transaction Enquiry function launched

Marine Department has provided an online Transaction Enquiry function for eBS Users. Please feel free to contact eBS support team at tel. no. 8108 2812 if you have any enquiry.

New design of the eBS client portal

A new design of the eBS client portal will be launched on 9 June 2009. Besides the new look, users could continue to enjoy all the existing services. Please use the login button at the top right corner to login to the system. You may preview the new design and the location of the login button. Please feel free to contact the eBS support team at tel. no. 8108 2812 if you have any query.

Crew Agreement and Crew Change e-Submission service will be launched

Crew Agreement and Crew Change e-Submission services for Hong Kong Registered Ships will be launched on 3 June 2009. Shipowners are now invited to register as eBS users in order to enjoy the services. Please refer to the registration form and the guidance notes and feel free to contact eBS support team at tel. no. 8108 2812 if you have any query.

New login page will be launched

With effective from 29 APRIL 2009, the eBS user login page will arrive with a new design. Besides the new look, users could continue to use their account to login to the system. Please feel free to contact eBS support team at tel. no. 8108 2812 if you have any query.

Ship Registration Status Inquiry launched

Marine Department has provided the Ship Registration Status inquiry for publics.

Important upgrade notice of e-Form filler

A new version of e-Form filler with bug fixes was released. User might experience a long delay when the e-Form filler is loaded in the first time.

Redesign of eForm (Pre-Arrival Clearance).

Marine Department has enhanced the design of eForm Pre-Arrival Clearance (eForm ID: eBS0020, eBS0021, eBS0022 and eBS0023). In the newly designed eForm, the column of date of birth is separated into three information including birth year, birth month and birth day. It is enhanced to cater the crew and passenger particulars who has birth year or birth year and birth month only for their date of birth. The upload function of crew and passenger particulars has also been modified to cater this changes. Please refer to the guidelines for details.

Newly enhanced design in "Dangerous Goods Manifest Submission"

To provide a more user-friendly system, Marine Department has enhanced the function for inputting containers information in the "Dangerous Goods Manifest Submission" of this website.

Important update notice of Java Runtime Environment (JRE)

Multiple vulnerabilities are found in various earlier versions of standard edition of Java 2 platform. It is strongly recommended users to upgrade the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) to the latest version as soon as possible in order to prevent these vulnerabilities from affecting the operation and reliability of electronic business system (eBS).

Latest Version : Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 Update 11
Download : https://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp

Enhanced the vessel searching function

Marine Department has enhanced the vessel searching function. In the newly searching function, apart from the vessel name, it is also provided a convenient way to search vessels by Call Sign, MD Reference No or License No.

The Deratting/Deratting Exemption Certificate is not required for applying Port Clearance Permit

The Deratting/Deratting Exemption Certificate is not required for applying Port Clearance Permit starting from 14 July 2008.

Improved design of eForm (MO618)

Marine Department has improved the design of eForm "General Declaration" of Arrival / Departure (Ocean-going Vessels) (MO618). In the newly designed eForm, red frame is used to indicate a field requiring mandatory input while green frame is used to indicate a field requiring optional input.

Pre-Arrival Clearance function enhanced

Marine Department has enhanced the function for Pre-Arrival Clearance (PAC) on the eBS2 on 27 June 2008 providing a faster and simpler channel for the industry to apply for PAC. This function allows applicants to input data by batch and upload the Particulars of Crew through Microsoft Excel. This function serves as an alternative, and applicants can continue to adopt the existing means by inputting information on the e-Form.

eBS phase 2 launched

Marine Department is enhancing the e-Business System (eBS) and the new system, eBS2, is launched on 28 April 2008. The eBS2 provides many diversified features such as auto-approval of application, self printing of permit / certificate, autopay, and online application status enquiry etc. anytime anywhere so as to enable a seamless processing of port formalities thereby reducing the time and efforts required in the conventional mode. The eBS2 also covers port formalities required by the Immigration Department and Department of Health with a view to providing a one-stop solution for the shipping community and companies in dealing with shipping related activities.

For enquiry, please call our eBS2 hotline at 8108-2812 (Mon-Fri: 8:30am – 5:30pm, Sat: 8:30am – 1:00pm, closed on Sundays and public holidays) or e-mail to us at ebs_support@mardep.gov.hk