Hong Kong Ship Medical Chest Regulation

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Regulation at a glance

Last verified · 31 August 2026
StatusMerchant Shipping (Seafarers) (Medical Stores) Regulation, Cap. 478X.
Applies toHong Kong-registered ships within the scope of Cap. 478X, subject to the vessel and voyage provisions in the Regulation.
Medical chest basisHong Kong’s own statutory medical-stores requirements and schedules. Operators should use the current verified text of Cap. 478X rather than a generic WHO-only list.
Regulatory relationNational Regulation.

Cap. 478X is the controlling Hong Kong instrument for shipboard medical stores. The applicable contents, equipment, records and inspection requirements must be checked in the current legislation.

Disclaimer: This page is a practical overview and not legal advice. Always check the current flag-state notices and vessel-specific requirements.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

01 · Confirm applicability
Hong Kong-registered ships within the scope of Cap. 478X, subject to the vessel and voyage provisions in the Regulation.
02 · Select the correct scale
Hong Kong’s own statutory medical-stores requirements and schedules. Operators should use the current verified text of Cap. 478X rather than a generic WHO-only list.
03 · Maintain compliant stores
Keep medicines, medical equipment and first-aid supplies complete, in date and ready for use.
04 · Verify before inspection
Check the current official sources and vessel particulars before supply, replenishment or certification.
Regulatory framework
National Regulation.
The flag-state’s current legislation and notices determine the final vessel-specific requirements.
!
Dangerous goods & IMDG

Check cargo-specific medical-store requirements

Where dangerous goods are carried, review cargo-specific medical-store requirements and the current IMDG Code alongside this flag-state framework. The applicable flag-state rules remain controlling.

Open official IMO IMDG page ↗

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Keep the statutory basis and vessel-specific working records together so the medical chest can be checked efficiently on board.

Primary legislation
Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) (Medical Stores) Regulation, Cap. 478X.
Vessel-specific scale
Applicable medical-store requirements
Hong Kong’s own statutory medical-stores requirements and schedules. Operators should use the current verified text of Cap. 478X rather than a generic WHO-only list.
On-board working file
Inventory, expiry and vessel details
Maintain a current vessel-specific overview for replenishment and compliance checks.
✓
Compliance evidence
Inspection and certificate evidence
Retain the inspection, certificate or verification evidence required by the applicable flag-state rules.

HOW SEAFARMA CAN HELP

Seafarma can translate the applicable requirements into a practical vessel-specific supply, inspection and delivery workflow.

Scale review Identify the applicable medical-store framework and vessel category.
Supply and replenishment Prepare medicines, equipment and first-aid supplies for the applicable scale.
Inspection preparation Support inventory checks and readiness for the applicable inspection process.
Ship delivery & agent coordination Arrange worldwide delivery to the vessel and coordinate ETA, berth, agent details and handover instructions.

Dangerous Goods

When the vessel is carrying dangerous goods, the medical chest should also be in accordance with the following regulation:

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Seafarma can supply medical chests tailored to the Hong Kong requirements and vessel profile. Final contents must be checked against the current official flag-state instrument and vessel-specific requirements.

Contact us