[Speeding] Speed limits for vessels in Hong Kong waters | Are speeding penalties divided by region? Maximum speed in typhoon shelters and speed restricted areas
Author:
Kwiksure Team
Created On:
2025-05-29
Edited On:
2025-05-29
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There are speed limits on roads and speed limits on waters. To ensure maritime traffic safety, the Maritime Department has established a number of speed restriction zones within Hong Kong waters. Speeding penalties are divided by area. This time, Kwiksure will explain in detail the location, speed limits and penalties of each typhoon shelter and speed restricted area, so that captains can be extra careful when going out to sea and sail safely.
Speed Limits for Vessels in Hong Kong Waters
The Marine Department divides Hong Kong waters into three major speed limit zones, with different speed limits and penalties for different areas.
Image source: Marine Department
Typhoon Shelter
The maximum permitted speed at the entrance or inside a typhoon shelter is 5 knots.
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The maximum permitted speed in the following typhoon shelters is 5 knots (including the entrance and inside the typhoon shelter) |
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TS1 |
Aberdeen South |
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TS2 |
Aberdeen West |
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TS3 |
Causeway Bay |
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TS4 |
Cheung Chau |
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TS5 |
Hei Ling Chau |
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TS6 |
Kwun Tong |
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TS7 |
New Yau Ma Tei |
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TS8 |
Rambler Channel |
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TS9 |
Sanjia Village |
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TS10 |
Shau Kei Wan |
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TS11 |
Plover Bay |
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TS12 |
To Kwa Wan |
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TS13 |
Tuen Mun |
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TS14 |
Yim Tin Tsai |
Speed limit area
The following speed restriction zones are defined as follows: During the period from 8:00 am to 12:00 midnight on any Saturday or public holiday and from 1 April to 31 October each year (both days inclusive), the speed limit within the zones is 5 knots.
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Maximum speed limit in speed restricted areas |
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serial number |
Speed limit area |
Maximum speed limit |
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A1 |
land bay |
The speed limit within the area is 5 knots during the period from 8:00 a.m. to midnight on any Saturday or public holiday and from 1 April to 31 October each year (both days inclusive). |
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A2 |
Tai Tam Harbour |
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A3 |
Stanley Bay |
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A4 |
Chung Hom Bay |
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A5 |
South Bay |
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A6 |
Deep Water Bay |
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A7 |
Luzhou Bay |
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A8 |
Deep Bay |
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A9 |
East Bay |
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A10 |
Tai Tam Bay |
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A11 |
Repulse Bay |
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L1 |
Dabai Bay |
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The following speed restriction zones are in place between 8am and midnight on any Saturday or public holiday and from 1 July to 15 September each year (both days inclusive). The speed limit within the zones is 5 knots.
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Maximum speed limit in speed restricted areas |
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serial number |
Speed limit area |
Maximum speed limit |
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Q1 |
Dashe Bay |
The speed limit within the area is 5 knots during the period from 8:00 a.m. to midnight on any Saturday or public holiday and from 1 July to 15 September each year (both days inclusive). |
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K2 |
Tsam Chuk Wan |
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K4 |
Bridge East |
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K5 |
Kau Sai Chau West |
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K6 |
Kau Sai Chau South |
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K7 |
Shatangkou Mountain |
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K8 |
clear water bay |
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K9 |
Key door |
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K10 |
Horse head ring |
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K11 |
Grain Ship Bay |
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K12 |
Yangzhou |
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T1 |
Plover Cove |
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T2 |
Shatin Sea |
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T3 |
Gaotangkou |
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T4 |
Leading the way |
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T5 |
Wu Kai Sha |
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T6 |
Sam Mun Tsai |
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The following speed restriction areas limit the speed of vessels to 5 knots between 8am and midnight on any day of the year.
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Maximum speed limit in speed restricted areas |
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serial number |
Speed limit area |
Maximum speed limit |
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K3 |
White Sand Bay |
The speed limit within the area is 5 knots between 8 am and 12 midnight on any day of the year. |
Area A, Area B and Area C
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Maximum speed limits in Zones A, B and C |
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Vessel length |
Maximum speed (knots) |
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Zone A |
Zone B |
Zone C |
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More than 60 meters |
8 |
10 |
15 |
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60 meters or less |
10 |
15 |
15 |
Speeding penalties for vessels
according toShipping and Port Control Regulations (Cap. 313A) and Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) Regulation (Cap. 548F), except with the permission of the Director of Marine, a vessel while navigating in the waters of Hong Kong must not sail at a speed exceeding the specified maximum permitted speed.
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Speeding penalties for vessels |
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Speeding Zone |
Penalties |
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Speed limit area |
The captain of the vessel concerned may be fined HK$10,000 |
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Typhoon Shelter |
The captain of the vessel concerned may be fined HK$5,000 |
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Zone A, B or C |
The captain of the vessel concerned may be fined HK$10,000 and imprisoned for 6 months |
FAQ
Are there any speed limits for vessels in Hong Kong waters?
Yes. To ensure maritime traffic safety, the Maritime Department has established a number of speed restriction zones within Hong Kong waters.Speeding penalties are divided by area. The maximum permitted speed in typhoon shelters is 5 knots, the maximum permitted speed in speed restricted areas is set according to the location and time period, and the maximum speed in other areas (Area A, B or C) is restricted according to the length of the vessel.
What are the penalties for speeding on a vessel?
If a vessel exceeds the specified maximum permitted speed while sailing in Hong Kong waters, relevant penalties will be imposed according to the area where the vessel exceeds the speed limit. The captain of the vessel concerned may be sentenced to a maximum fine of HK$10,000 and imprisonment for 6 months.
