Hong Kong's Marine Department said it will launch an updated version of its electronic system to simplify and speed up the submission and processing of port formalities starting from next Monday, or April 28.

"The system will be enhanced in Phase II to provide many new features such as online approval of application, self printing of permit or certificate, autopay, and online application status inquiry," a spokesman for the Marine Department said Friday.

The Marine Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region launched its electronic business system (eBS) in December 2003 in a move to "maintain Hong Kong's position as a world-class port and an international maritime center."

The updated version of the eBS system, eBS2, will also cover formalities required by the Immigration Department and Department of Health, the spokesman said.

The Marine Department has held a series of briefing sessions in March and April to promote the use of eBS2 among the shipping community, and many of the representatives from the industry have shown interest in the round-the-clock system.

The department said details of the eBS2 will be available online on Monday, encouraging ship owners, agents and masters to register online.

(Xinhua News Agency April 26, 2008)