The annual highlight of the Hong Kong maritime and port industry, Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024, held its grand opening ceremony.

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung said at the ceremony that Hong Kong is keen to develop itself into a high-quality green maritime centre, adding that the Government had just promulgated the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering.

“The action plan sets out five green-centric strategies and 10 action items, covering a wide range of areas such as the supply of green maritime fuels, infrastructural support, port emissions reduction, incentive measures, collaboration with the Mainland and overseas, and talent training etc.

“This action plan truly reflects the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's determination to develop green maritime fuel bunkering and provides clear and definitive directions and action targets for Hong Kong to keep pace with the international trend of green shipping.”  

Shipping Deputy Minister of the Republic of Cyprus Marina Hadjimanolis said Cyprus, as a major shipping hub in Europe, shares unique qualities with Hong Kong, and she believed strengthening co-operation could lead to a mutually beneficial outcome.

”You also understand and you value shipping. And you have been listening also to the Shipowners Association and you have been co-operating with them. So these are the advantages that are unique for Hong Kong.

“The partnership that we have been forming, it is crucial for enhancing the shipping and maritime services. And also for the challenges that we will face, it is important for maritime hubs like Hong Kong and Cyprus that we have one of the leading ship management centres in the world, and we can identify what is going to come. Together we can collaborate so that we will be stronger when we will need to face these challenges.”

International Group of P&I Club Chief Executive Officer Nick Shaw also pointed out that Hong Kong has many advantages that can help develop their business in the future.  

”I have always seen the ability of Hong Kong to adapt itself, and it has a “Can do” attitude, which you do not find everywhere in the world.

“I think the Government is very responsive to the needs of the business community, which I think is also very important. So when we are talking to the Government here, they are always incredibly responsive and helpful to us in terms of both setting up but also doing business in Hong Kong.”