Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung today visited a number of maritime enterprises, including major shipping liners and trading houses, in Tokyo.

Mr Lam and his delegation are in the Japanese capital to promote Hong Kong's maritime and port industry, in particular its strength in high value-added maritime services.

The delegation comprises representatives of the Hong Kong Maritime & Port Board, the Marine Department, Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

They paid a courtesy call on State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism of Japan Kokuba Konosuke, introducing Hong Kong's latest maritime developments and exploring further co-operation with the Japanese maritime community.

During a business dinner with the Japanese Shipowners' Association, Mr Lam outlined Hong Kong's advantages as an international maritime centre, noting that the city is positioned as the “super connector” between Mainland China and the global markets.

“We are home to a vibrant maritime cluster with over 1,100 port and maritime-related companies and provide a great variety of quality maritime services.

“We also provide a series of tax concession measures for the maritime industry, and have lately introduced a green initiative to provide incentives for Hong Kong-registered ships that attain high ratings under the international standards on decarbonisation formulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), making Hong Kong a pioneer flag administration supporting the IMO's green shipping policy on the Carbon Intensity Indicator.”

Noting that Japan and Hong Kong are the world's leading maritime centres with important roles in the sea trade routes in the Asia-Pacific region, the transport chief said he is confident the two economies can work closer to achieve mutual benefits and prosperity in the years ahead.

The delegation started its visit to Tokyo yesterday and will continue to meet other maritime enterprises and organisations during the trip.