Hong Kong Maritime Week 2025 (HKMW) held its opening ceremony today, showcasing Hong Kong’s status as a leading global maritime capital with quality maritime services provided by the city’s vibrant maritime cluster.

Marking its ninth edition with the theme “Navigating to a Greener Future” and the tagline “Propel Hong Kong”, the HKMW is expected to attract over 18,000 participants from all over the world.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chief Executive John Lee said in this era of profound and complex transformation, Hong Kong’s role as a stable, reliable and dynamic maritime hub has never been more vital, highlighting that the city’s standing is consistently endorsed by the international community, having been ranked fourth globally as an international shipping centre for six consecutive years.

Looking ahead, Mr Lee highlighted Hong Kong’s determination to be at the forefront as a premier green maritime fuel-bunkering centre, with a vision to become the epicentre of the global green maritime fuel trade.

The Chief Executive called for collaboration to build green shipping corridors and digital trade lanes that will define the future of safe, efficient and sustainable global shipping, stating that the city’s policy support, expertise, strategic vision and unwavering commitment can allow it to play a pivotal role in navigating the next era of shipping.

Mr Lee also witnessed the official establishment of the Hong Kong Shipowners Mutual Assurance Association.

He was joined by Vice-Chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference CY Leung; Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Zhou Ji; and Vice Minister of Transport Fu Xuyin.

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan spoke at the World Maritime Merchants Forum (WMMF) 2025 Government Summit where she noted that the Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address proposed to establish a “Rail-sea-land-river” intermodal transport system to extend cargo sources from the Chinese Mainland, to build “partner port relationships with Belt & Road regions, and more.

Ms Chan added that Hong Kong will continue to leverage its advantages as a “super-connector” to build a smart and green international maritime centre.

The two-day WMMF features sub-forums on shipping markets, legal and insurance issues, port and logistics, shipping finance, and shipbuilding and repair.

Another HKMW anchor event - the Asian Logistics, Maritime & Aviation Conference also started today, bringing together global shippers, logistics providers, and aviation stakeholders to exchange insights and explore business opportunities.

Officiating at the conference, Mr Lee unveiled the first batch of “partner port”, including Guangxi and Dalian of the Chinese Mainland, and San Antonio Port of Chile, which marks a significant step in further deepening the exchanges and collaboration between Hong Kong and the international maritime networks.

The 2nd Hong Kong Global Maritime Trade Summit organised by the International Chamber of Shipping concluded today, with policymakers and industry leaders gathering to present challenges and solutions for effecting the changes under the rapid-changing global maritime trade environment.

The three-day International Bunker Industry Association Annual Convention 2025 will bring together global bunker leaders to discuss alternative fuels, market trends, regulatory updates, and digitalisation in bunkering.

The MPDB Flagship Session - Hong Kong: A Global Maritime Capital, scheduled for tomorrow, will focus on green finance, legal certainty, and regional collaboration to build investable decarbonisation frameworks from the perspective of Hong Kong’s maritime industry.