Briefing by InvestHK on Hong Kong’s business advantages
Aiming at the further expansion of Hong Kong as a Transport Logistics and Industrial International Centre the InvestHK’s Benjamin Wong Head of Transport & Logistics and Industrials, welcomed the media correspondents and referred during a press briefing at the advantages of Hong Kong.
It is very important to note that InvestHK helps the companies to grow by providing guidance in strategic implementation and evaluation of business decisions, including opportunity identification, support with business licenses, visa applications, trademark registration, IP and trade regulations, etc, connecting with lawyers, accountants, human resource specialists, consultancies, designers, interior specialists and real estate companies and last but not least tools for continuous expansion.
In shipping we have to mention that Hong Kong has developed into a High-End Maritime Services centre offering the following capabilities:
- Ship finance & leasing
- Maritime Arbitration & dispute resolution
- Marine Insurance
- Ship broker and ship agent
- Ship register
- Ship management & chartering.
Finally Benjamin Wong described Hong Kong’s competitive advantages:
- Hong Kong ranked as an 4th International Maritime Centre
- Hong Kong Ship Registry ranked 4th in the world
- A myriad of maritime services – 900 maritime companies in Hong Kong
- International Maritime Legal & Arbitration Centre
- Maritime & Aviation Training Fund (MATF)
- “Smart Port” Initiative.
It must be noted that Hong Kong has remained in the band of the 20 economies with very low level of corruption in the world.
Visit to DHL Asia Hub
Ride through DHL’s Central Asia Hub
During a visit at DHL’s Asia Hub, Samuel Lee, general manager described the company’s most competitive features through a parcel’s journey which includes:
- Seamless shipment transfers,
- Induction System sharpens sorting accuracy
- Six-sided scanners identify shipments faster
- CT X-ray scanners enhance security
- Automation improves the heartbeat of the sorting process
- Enhanced operational efficiency with direct airside access
DHL Central Asia Hub is currently the only dedicated express cargo facility at the Hong Kong International Airport with direct access to airside and landside. DHL’s first pilot in the Asia Pacific region will deploy battery storage and Hong Kong International Airport’s first business partner will implement battery storage on-site.
DHL HK is located within a four-hour flight time to major cities in Asia Pacific and in the Pan-Pearl River Delta region. DHL’s central Asia Hub is projected to have a Total Project Commitment of HK$4.9 billion (EUR 562 million) and HK$3.2 billion (EUR 377 million) for Phase 3 expansion.
DHL Central Asia’s Hub employs over 670 (as of 30 Sep) employees and has a Total Warehouse Space of 49.500sqm (+50%)
It handles 1.06 million tonnes per annum (+50%) and can deliver up to 125.000 shipments per hour (previously 75.000 pph).
HONG KONG MARITIME WEEK DAY 4
Visit at Modern Port Terminals of Hong Kong
The briefing was made by Elin Wong, head of corporate affairs who welcomed the media correspondents at the terminals at Kwai Tsing. The company began port operations 52 years ago in 1972 and today owns and operates Terminals 1,2,5 & 9 (south) in Hong Kong. The port facilities have contributed to the rapid development of the economy of Hong Kong and became one of the biggest transshipment hubs worldwide. The shareholders are Wharf, China Merchants and Jebsen Group. It has a capacity of 7 million teus and the Port of Hong Kong had a throughput of 14.4 million teus in 2023. It must be noticed that in the port of Hong Kong there are another four operators. Modern Terminals has 7 container berths, 30 Quay Cranes and 3 barge berths. The company’s culture values include accountability, teamwork, and trust to achieve work life fulfillment while operational excellence is one of its brand promises. In 2022 the port and logistics industry contributed 6,2% of HK’s GDP and 175.200 jobs. The competitive edges of the Port of Hong Kong include its free port status, high operational efficiency and flexibility, and it is facing uncertainties in global economy, deployment of more mega vessels, limited yard space, and competition from nearby ports. Ms Wong mentioned the benefits of Hong Kong Seaport Alliance, and the Company’s QC & berth upgrade plan including cranes heightening, as well as Modern Terminals’ Sustainability Strategy aiming at carbon neutrality by 2050.”
Visit to Cathay Cargo Terminal
The terminal is located at the international airport and includes an import & export area, interface staging area and a live animal handling center.
The Cathay Cargo Terminal is one of the most advanced air cargo terminals in the world. The terminal has offered a full range of air cargo services for airlines operating at Hong Kong International Airport since 2013 and is capable of handling an annual throughput of 2.7 million tonnes.
The terminal incorporates innovative features and advanced technologies to enhance the visibility, efficiency and reliability of each step of operations, setting new standards in operational efficiently, environmental design and service levels. Reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as the world’s premier international airfreight hub, the vision is to be the world’s most customer-centric air cargo terminal.
Press Briefing by Hong Kong Shipowners Association HKSOA
The foreign media correspondents’ team was welcomed at the Association’s offices by Ms Sandy CHAN, Managing Director and Captain Nittin Handa, Regulatory Affairs Director of HKSOA.
They pointed out that the Hong Kong Chief Executive and the Administration attach great importance to the maritime industry and has accepted many of the recommendations from the Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA).
In the HKSOA’s consultation, innovation and reform recommendations were made in five areas: (1) Green Shipping, (2) Commodity Trading, (3) Maritime Services, (4) Global Partnership and (5) Institutional Framework.
HKSOA fully supports the national strategic plan to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an “international finance, shipping and trade centre” and the various new policy initiatives about Commodity Trading, including the creation of a commodity trading ecosystem in the city.
HKSOA great welcome the many new and practical Green Shipping measures, including construction of a green shipping corridor and co-operation with ports in the Greater Bay Area, to develop Hong Kong as a green fuel export center and bunkering hub.
Hong Kong can play a leading role in global efforts and be a big contributor an “Ecological Civilization”.
It must be noticed that Hong Kong follows a multi-pronged approach promoting high value added Maritime Services, such as marine insurance, ship broking and financing and maritime arbitration, while supporting the “commercial principals”.
HKSOA maintains excellent global partnerships with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) including the Union of Greek Shipowners and other national shipping organisations.
With the support of the Government the HKSOA and the ICS held the Hong Kong Maritime Global Trade Summit during the maritime week in November.
Replying to a question raised by ELNAVI for the views of HKSOA on decarbonization issue and the attraction of new talent in shipping Mrs Chan and Capt Hand said that the association follows a multilateral approach to decarbonization. The government promotes Green shipping, support the trade and the common approach internationally.
Mrs. Chan and Capt. Hand said that HKSOA has plans to develop a green field bunkering activities at Hong Kong harbor providing green methanol and hydrogen.
The government also encourages young people to join industry. Maritime Sea Scholl cadets for seafaring collaborate with Nautical Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers courses to expand Maritime Aviation Training Fund (MATF) available.
The association is member of Asian Shipowners Association ASA and represents 2,589 ships of 231,527,274 dwt operated/owned/managed by members as at 1st December 2023.
ELNAVI Newsletter
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