Chief Executive John Lee outlined a detailed plan for achieving the Government’s goal of enhancing Hong Kong’s position as a superhub for international shipping and aviation while delivering this year’s Policy Address.

Apart from noting that Hong Kong is a free port characterised by fast customs clearance, high efficiency and strong international connectivity, Mr Lee pointed out that the city also has a quality ship registry and a vibrant maritime cluster. 

International shipping centre

This is why, he said, the Government remains committed to consolidating Hong Kong’s premier position in ship registration, developing the city into a leading international maritime centre, and facilitating maritime collaboration within the Greater Bay Area (GBA). 

Number one on a list of initiatives to maintain such a position is an action plan on maritime and port development strategy, along with other measures that Mr Lee shared in his Policy Address.

“The Transport & Logistics Bureau will publish an action plan later this year to enhance high‑end maritime services, facilitate transformation towards zero emission, promote smart initiatives and digitalisation in the maritime industry, and promote exchanges and collaboration among maritime industries in the GBA and around the world.”

The bureau will also promote the development of high value‑added maritime services by co‑ordinating the efforts of various government departments and stakeholders to spearhead maritime development from an industry‑oriented perspective.

When it comes to expanding the local maritime network, the Chief Executive explained that the Government has introduced tax concessionary measures for various maritime business services. InvestHK will step up its efforts in inviting shipping commercial principals and overseas shipping companies to establish and expand their businesses in Hong Kong.

Furthermore, he stressed that it will capitalise on the city’s international position in maritime arbitration.

“Hong Kong is one of the four designated arbitration venues in the Baltic & International Maritime Council (BIMCO)’s global standard maritime contracts, and is among the leading cities in the world for maritime services.

“We will enhance our co‑operation with various international maritime organisations, including deepening the operation of the BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping in Hong Kong, as well as strengthening our role as a gateway for international maritime enterprises and organisations to enter the Mainland market.”

International aviation hub

On the matter of upholding Hong Kong’s position as an international aviation hub, Mr Lee highlighted the fact that the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) continued to rank first in cargo throughput in 2022, demonstrating its long‑standing leading position as an international aviation and cargo hub.

On account of this, he stressed that the Government will continue to work with the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) to enhance competitiveness. 

“We will press ahead with the Three‑Runway System and various projects under the ‘Airport City’ vision, including SKYCITY, the premium logistics centre at the South Cargo Precinct and the smart airport, for developing core passenger and cargo transport services. 

“We will open up opportunities for cargo transport. Operating on a pilot basis, the HKIA Logistics Park, set up by the AAHK in Dongguan, allows export cargo from the Mainland to go through security screening, palletisation and cargo acceptance in advance in Dongguan before being transported by sea to HKIA for export by air, without the need to repeat screening procedures and thereby achieving savings in time and operating cost. 

“The operation has been smooth to date, and the AAHK plans to complete the first‑phase construction of a permanent facility for the logistics park by end‑2025 so that the cargo handling capacity will reach one million tonnes per annum.”

Additionally, Mr Lee shared the authority’s plans for developing an autonomous transport system.

“The AAHK will introduce an autonomous transportation system to carry passengers along the Airport City Link connecting SKYCITY and the Hong Kong Port Island of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge from 2025 onwards, and it plans to extend the system to Tung Chung Town Centre in 2028.”

He added that in future, the AAHK will streamline the screening of carry‑on luggage by introducing “Smartlane” gradually next year so that passengers will not need to take out such items as liquid and electronic devices from their luggage during aviation security screening.