Hong Kong’s international maritime centre (IMC) gained a significant boost to its ambitions with the launch of the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping (HKCoS).
The launch ceremony, held before an audience of maritime luminaries from Hong Kong and Mainland China, unveiled a new organization with an impressive ability to lead cooperation between Hong Kong’s IMC and Mainland maritime related businesses, government departments and educational institutions.
The founders
The instigators of the HKCoS include founder and Chairman, Hing Chao, who is also executive chairman of Wah Kwong Transport Holdings,
CY Leung, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the People’s Political Consultative Conference, (founder member and adviser)
Past chief executive of Hong Kong, Li Lianjun, Partner at Reed Smith, founder member and honorary legal counsel,
Kenneth Lam, chief executive of SeaKapital, founder member and honorary treasurer.
Set the tone
Leading the proceedings Mr Leung set the tone:
“The Chinese National 13th and 14th Five-Year Plans explicitly support the elevation of Hong Kong’s status as an international maritime center,” he declared.
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Value chain.
“What does “elevation” entail? It entails the alignment with national needs, capitalisation on Hong Kong’s unique advantages, effective integration with the strengths of the Mainland, bridging existing gaps, and refining the national maritime ecosystem, whilst progressing towards the high-value activities in the value chain.
Pivotal moment
He continued:“The establishment of the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping marks a pivotal moment, signifying a profound, unified, and comprehensive recognition of the country’s needs within the Hong Kong shipping community.
Key objectives
Chairman of the newly launched HKCoS, Hing Chao, outlined its key objectives:
The establishment of the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping aims to build a sustainable ecosystem for global trade and shipping, by bringing together key stakeholders along the entire value chain,” he said.
The Membership
Reflecting this, our membership comprises not only shipping corporations but also companies from the energy, commodities, port, finance, and shipbuilding sectors, as well as high-quality maritime services as represented by classification societies, law firms, insurance institutions, ship management companies, etc.
Geopolitical adversity.
Mr Chao said the establishment of the HKCoS was timely given the many challenges facing the maritime sector including increasingly complex trade relations compounded by geopolitical adversity.
Add to this a fast-evolving technology sector, and the urgent need to decarbonise the commercial fleet, an institution such as the HKCoS would be a force for good.
Fostering dialogue
“Through fostering dialogue and partnership across the supply chain, we hope to accelerate the development of clean energy and clean fuels and provide a Chinese solution to the decarbonization of the global maritime industry.
This will be one of the focal points for the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping,” he added.
Other founder members
“I am proud to share that under the steer of Mr CY Leung and other founder members, especially my friend Mr Li Lianjun, the University of Hong Kong has plans to work with Peking University, Shandong University, Xiamen University, Dalian Maritime University, and Shanghai Maritime University to jointly develop graduate programmes in maritime law.
The needs
“We are also closely monitoring the needs of Hong Kong’s international shipping centre in other areas, including the continuing need for high-quality seafarers, high-end maritime service professionals, as well as talents in new energy, artificial intelligence, and related fields, Mr Chao concluded.
HKCoS suggests
Looking to the future the HKCoS suggests the following:
The University of Hong Kong and Peking University jointly provide education to graduate students for a double master’s degree.
Those who meet the requirements of the University of Hong Kong will be awarded a master’s degree in international maritime law from the University of Hong Kong.
The University of Hong Kong to coordinate with Xiamen University and Shandong University in its admissions of graduate students for a master’s degree in international maritime law.
The University of Hong Kong to expand its admissions quota for programs educating students in international maritime and common law with Dalian Maritime University and Shanghai Maritime University.
Among Government dignitaries attending the launch were Financial Secretary Paul Chan, and Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung. Also in attendance was Angad Banga, chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association.