Smooth sailing: Permanent Secretary for Transport & Housing Francis Ho opens BIMCO Asia Shipping School 2008.

Hong Kong has been actively fostering co-operation with the international maritime community and placing great importance on the need for quality professionals for the shipping industry's long-term and sustained development.

Permanent Secretary for Transport & Housing (Transport) Francis Ho delivered this message at today's opening of a five-day seminar jointly held by the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council and the Baltic & International Maritime Council.

The BIMCO Asia Shipping School 2008 seminar will give 56 participants from the shipping sectors of Hong Kong, the Mainland, other parts of Asia and Europe the opportunity to share knowledge and keep abreast of the latest industry developments.

It will cover general updates like ship sizes and types, who's who in shipping and in-depth knowledge of topics like bills of lading, voyage charters, time charters and dispute resolution.

Speakers are all industry experts with 30 to 40 years' experience and the programme is complemented by case studies, a networking session and an evening harbour cruise.

BIMCO is a Denmark-based shipping organisation with more than 2,500 members covering two-thirds of the globe. It is a leader in maritime training, and its Asia Shipping School is the regional equivalent of its Summer Shipping School held annually in Copenhagen since 2002.