HKCoS celebrated China's 77th National Day and its second anniversary, highlighting achievements and future goals for Hong Kong's shipping industry.
The Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping (HKCoS) held a celebratory reception at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the Chamber's second anniversary. Guests reflected on the Chamber's work over the past two years and discussed their outlooks for Hong Kong's shipping industry.
The distinguished guests included Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Honorary Advisor to the HKCoS; Zhang Yong, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Paul Lam, Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR Government; Li Yongsheng, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR; Massimo Ambrosetti, Ambassador of Italy to China; Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the HKSAR Government; and Hing Chao, Chairman of the HKCoS. The Consuls General of Germany and the Netherlands and the Acting Consul General of France in Hong Kong also attended. John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, delivered a video address.
Hing Chao commenced the program with a welcome speech, reviewing the Chamber's progress since its founding. He stated that, with support from across the industry, the HKCoS has continued to advance green shipping, maritime law talent development, port connectivity, and value chain upgrading, thereby strengthening Hong Kong's position as an international maritime center.
Following the strategic cooperation agreement signed with the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) last year, the Chamber formed a team of Hong Kong and Mainland experts to translate GENCON 2022 into Chinese. The Hong Kong Chinese Edition of BIMCO GENCON 2022 was submitted to BIMCO in January and has recently been approved following review, making it the first non-English contract in BIMCO's century-long history. The Chamber will formally launch and promote the edition in November, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong Maritime Week.
Chao noted that the translation aligns with the common law system and international shipping practice, making the contract easier to use in Chinese-language markets and strengthening Hong Kong's capacity to provide maritime legal support. The Chamber will work with BIMCO and organizations including the China Maritime Law Association to promote the contract's use across the industry.
Looking ahead, Chao stated that the Chamber will continue to serve the nation's overall development and unite the industry. It will support the implementation of the shipping-related plans in Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan, helping the sector move forward steadily through green and digital transformation.
Leung Chun-ying remarked that the Chamber was founded to harness Hong Kong's unique strengths under 'One Country, Two Systems' and to bring together players across the full maritime value chain, including ports, energy, finance, law, insurance, and shipping companies, to drive the high-quality development of Hong Kong's shipping industry. He noted that the country has consistently valued Hong Kong's status as an international maritime center, and that the 15th Five-Year Plan sets out several clear and ambitious goals for building a maritime power, giving the Chamber ample room to contribute.
In his video address, John Lee pointed out that Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address set the direction for the shipping industry, focusing on improving service quality, developing high-end maritime professional services, and driving green transformation, rather than simply growing cargo volume. He commended the Chamber for serving as a bridge between the Government and the industry over the past two years and for helping the Government develop policies that better meet market needs. He hoped the Chamber would continue to foster cooperation between Mainland shipowners and Hong Kong's high value-added maritime services sector, help Mainland shipowners expand globally, and deepen port collaboration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and cooperation along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Lee also noted that Hong Kong Maritime Week will mark its 10th anniversary on 15 November. The Chamber will host an international shipping leaders' roundtable during the event, providing industry leaders from the Mainland and overseas a platform to exchange ideas and explore new opportunities for growth.
Paul Lam highlighted that China has become a leading maritime nation, with recent milestones including regular weekly services on the China-Europe Arctic Express from 15 August and the opening of the Pinglu Canal on 16 September. He stated that Hong Kong should align with the national development strategy and move from basic services towards value-driven development, focusing on high value-added maritime services such as ship management, ship finance, marine insurance, and maritime arbitration. He also commended the Chamber as a unique platform linking stakeholders across the maritime value chain and looked forward to it playing an even greater role.
Mable Chan stated that the Government is actively aligning with the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan, with Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan setting out detailed shipping measures that focus on enhancing port competitiveness and moving the port towards greener, smarter, and more digital operations. She mentioned that Hong Kong will draw on its financial strengths and bilingual legal system to develop high value-added maritime services. She added that cooperation agreements with ports in other countries will be announced during Hong Kong Maritime Week and expressed hope to work with the Chamber and the industry to elevate Hong Kong's shipping services to new heights.
Over the past year, the HKCoS has made substantive progress in talent development, international cooperation, policy research, and green shipping.
On talent development, the first cohort of graduates from the Chamber's Maritime Law Talent Development Programme (master's level) have started their careers, while three outstanding students have enrolled at the University of Hong Kong as the second cohort. The Chamber will also refine its follow-up training mechanism to continue nurturing talent for the nation.
On policy research and industry engagement, the Chamber has offered recommendations grounded in industry realities. On 4 August, it submitted a shipping development policy proposal to the HKSAR Government. The Government subsequently released its first Five-Year Plan, parts of which echo the Chamber's recommendations, reflecting the weight it places on industry views. The Chamber is also organizing its signature Clean Energy Supply Chain Conference, which has been held in several Chinese cities and is planned to travel to Europe, fostering practical cooperation between Chinese and Western shipping communities on maritime decarbonization.
Marking its second anniversary, the HKCoS will treat this milestone as a new starting point. It will continue to unite the industry and promote the integrated development of Hong Kong's shipping, finance, and trade, contributing to the high-quality development of the nation's maritime industry.
