8 October, Hong Kong – The Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping (HKCoS) celebrated its one-year anniversary today, commemorating the occasion with the launch of the Maritime Law Talent Development Programme and a strategic partnership with the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO). These milestone initiatives reflect the Chamber’s commitment to advancing Hong Kong’s role as a high value-added maritime services hub, in line with the city’s maritime development strategy outlined in the 2025 Policy Address.

More than 150 government officials and industry leaders gathered to discuss Hong Kong’s growing role as an international maritime centre and the future of its shipping ecosystem. Among the distinguished attendees were Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Honorary Advisor to the HKCoS; Li Yongsheng, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR; Qi Bin, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the HKSAR government; Hing Chao, Chairman of the HKCoS.

Government and Industry Leaders Review Achievements and Chart the Course Ahead

Opening the ceremony, Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC and Honorary Advisor to the HKCoS, delivered a keynote speech. He remarked that, with its unique position spanning the entire maritime ecosystem, the Chamber has effectively leveraged the advantages of “One Country, Two Systems” and Hong Kong’s role as a super connector to drive the industry’s transformation toward high value-added services and strengthen the integration of the maritime value chain. As a Special Administrative Region of a major shipbuilding and global shipping power, Hong Kong shoulders significant responsibilities. Representing the full maritime value chain, the Chamber, he added, has enormous room for growth.

In his video remarks, John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), highlighted Hong Kong’s distinctive strengths — “leveraging the Mainland while connecting with the world” — coupled with its international business environment and efficient maritime services. These factors have enabled Hong Kong to maintain its position as the world’s fourth-largest international shipping centre for six consecutive years. Facing geopolitical tensions and restructuring of the global supply chains, the HKSAR government and the industry are, he said, working closely together to ensure diversification and sustainable growth.

He added that the latest Policy Address introduced a range of measures to strengthen Hong Kong’s competitiveness, including: developing a comprehensive “rail-sea-land-river” intermodal transport system to enhance inland connectivity; establishing an international “partner port” network; building a green maritime fuel bunkering centre; advancing a digitalised port system; refining the ship registration regime; and offering tax incentives. He expressed strong confidence in Hong Kong’s maritime outlook and looked forward to HKCoS continuing to work hand-in-hand with the government to drive high-quality development.

Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics, noted that the shipping and logistics industry has long been a vital pillar of Hong Kong’s economy. She said the Government is pressing ahead with five key priorities: strengthening the maritime ecosystem by attracting bulk commodity traders and enhancing ship registration competitiveness; implementing the “Action Plan on Green Marine Fuel Bunkering” to develop Hong Kong into a centre for green fuel bunkering and trading; facilitating connections between local and international stakeholders to expand global business opportunities; securing more cargo sources from the Mainland while rolling out the Port Community System to accelerate digitalisation and smart development in shipping; and pursuing high-level planning and institutional innovation through the newly established Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board to explore forward-looking strategies. She concluded by wishing the Chamber continued success in uniting the industry and advancing Hong Kong’s high-quality maritime development.

Hing Chao, Chairman of HKCoS, then reviewed the Chamber’s key achievements since its establishment — from championing policy initiatives and building cooperation platforms at home and abroad, to organising a series of professional forums that have fostered industry consensus. Looking ahead, he said, the Chamber will continue to focus on three strategic priorities: talent development, smart maritime services, and the green energy transition. It will deepen cooperation with major Mainland shipping hubs and actively contribute to national development strategies, including the 14th Five-Year Plan, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). At the same time, the Chamber will continue to strengthen its role as a bridge between the Mainland and the global maritime community, facilitating two-way exchange and deeper integration that bring fresh momentum to Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime centre.

Maritime Talent Programmes Launched to Cultivate Legal and Technical Expertise

The launch of the Maritime Law Talent Development Programme during the anniversary celebration marked an important milestone in the Chamber’s talent development efforts. In September, the first cohort of seven students was admitted to the University of Hong Kong (HKU), marking the programme’s official launch. Since 2024, the HKCoS has facilitated Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between the HKU and five leading Mainland universities — Peking University, Shandong University, Xiamen University, Dalian Maritime University, and Shanghai Maritime University — to jointly build a high-level platform for cultivating maritime law talent and training future professionals for the nation’s shipping industry.

This initiative responds directly to the measures outlined in the 2025 Policy Address to position Hong Kong as an international talent hub, while demonstrating the Chamber’s commitment to advancing the industry’s shift toward high value-added services. Looking ahead, HKCoS will deepen collaboration with the Department of Justice and the Transport and Logistics Bureau to leverage Hong Kong’s robust legal system. Through these partnerships, the Chamber aims to deliver world-class maritime legal services and put its vision of cultivating talent for the nation into practice.

In parallel with its legal education programme, the HKCoS is also expanding cooperation in technical training. In September, the Hong Kong International Shipping Industry Academy in Qingdao, established under the Chamber’s guidance, was officially inaugurated and began classes. The Academy adopts an “industry-education integration” model to nurture specialised talent aligned with the needs of the BRI and the global shipping market. Through its dual focus on law and technology, the Chamber aims to enhance the overall competitiveness of the nation’s maritime sector.

HKCoS and BIMCO Sign MOU to Promote International Collaborations

Another highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between HKCoS and BIMCO, establishing a long-term partnership between the two organisations. The agreement was signed by Li Lianjun, Honorary Legal Advisor to HKCoS and Partner at Reed Smith Richards Butler, and Zhuang Wei, Head of Asia-Pacific at BIMCO, representing their respective parties. The signing was witnessed by Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC and Honorary Advisor to HKCoS; Qi Bin, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Li Yongsheng, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR; Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the HKSAR Government; and Hing Chao, Chairman of HKCoS.

Under the MOU, HKCoS and BIMCO will strengthen cooperation in key areas such as maritime policy development and green shipping. A core initiative of the partnership will be the joint development and promotion of Chinese-language versions of BIMCO’s standard contracts. This collaboration will not only help the Chamber attract more international resources and enhance the global influence of Hong Kong’s legal and arbitration services, but will also promote the wider use of Chinese in international maritime affairs through this international platform. In the long run, the partnership will provide strong support for enhancing China’s voice in global maritime governance, further positioning Hong Kong as a bridge between the Mainland and the international shipping community.

Expert Forum Highlights Finance, Law, and Global Regulatory Challenges

An expert forum, moderated by Benjamin Wong, Head of Transport, Logistics and Industrials at InvestHK, brought together leading figures from across the maritime sector to discuss Hong Kong’s competitive advantages and emerging challenges in shipping finance, insurance, and legal services.

Participants acknowledged that Hong Kong retains a unique and irreplaceable position in global maritime finance and arbitration services. This is underpinned by the institutional advantages of “One Country, Two Systems,” its common law framework, free-port policy, and extensive pool of international professional talent. To further capitalise on this standing amid an evolving shipping landscape, they stressed that Hong Kong must refine its legal framework for ship financing and insurance, attract greater international capital, and intensify the promotion of arbitration services to boost cross-border dispute resolution efficiency. Furthermore, with green and smart shipping setting new global trends, Hong Kong should drive the adoption of innovative technologies and international standards, while deepening strategic cooperation with the Mainland across finance, law, technology, and the broader industrial chain.

A fireside chat followed, moderated by Gilbert Feng, Mainland Affairs Director of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, featuring Hing Chao, Chairman of HKCoS and Alex Gregg-Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, Asia Pacific and China. The discussion, titled “Enhancing Hong Kong’s Role as an International Maritime Centre under the implications of Section 301 & MEPC 83,” explored two central challenges — geopolitical trade frictions and regulatory shifts in maritime decarbonisation.

Hing Chao remarked that Hong Kong should fully leverage China’s strengths in green fuel production to develop itself into an international green fuel distribution hub. He emphasised the need for enhanced coordination and collaboration with cities across the Greater Bay Area. Furthermore, Chao stressed that Hong Kong must proactively integrate into the Mainland’s overall development strategy, aligning closely with the 14th Five-Year Plan and the national strategy of building a maritime power, while promoting deeper linkage with Mainland industrial chains. Alex emphasised that Hong Kong should make full use of its unique advantage as a gateway connecting the Mainland with global markets, and evolve from a “gateway” into a “greenway” — taking the lead in sustainable shipping and serving as a bridge between China’s green practices and international standards.

Wang Yongxin, General Manager of China Merchants Energy Shipping Co., Ltd. (a founding member of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association), delivered the closing remarks. He emphasised that Hong Kong’s shipping community should seize this historic opportunity to act as a bridge of stability and trust, open up new logistics and trade corridors amid the ongoing reshaping of global trade patterns, and build a more resilient shipping network to meet the new challenges brought by digitalisation and green transformation in the maritime industry.

Looking ahead, the HKCoS will continue to leverage its platform role and the advantages of “One Country, Two Systems” to enhance Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime super-connector. The Chamber will closely align with the 2025 Policy Address, supporting policy implementation, deepening international cooperation, and advancing green and digital transformation. At the same time, the Chamber will strengthen talent development, policy research, and industrial collaboration to further consolidate Hong Kong’s status as an international shipping centre and contribute to the high-quality development of the nation’s maritime industry.

Photo Captions:

1. Guests and industry leaders attend the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping’s first anniversary celebration at the Hong Kong Financial Forum Hall.
2. Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Honorary Advisor to HKCoS, delivers a speech at the celebration.
3. John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, extends his congratulations via video message.
4. Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the HKSAR Government, delivers a speech at the celebration.
5. Hing Chao, Chairman of HKCoS, highlights key achievements from the Chamber’s first year.
6. Launch ceremony of the “Maritime Law Talent Development Programme.”
7. HKCoS and BIMCO sign a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen international collaboration.
8. Expert forum explores Hong Kong’s advantages and challenges in shipping finance, insurance, and legal services.
9. Fireside chat where guests exchange views on opportunities and challenges for Hong Kong’s shipping industry amid evolving international policies.

About the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping:

The Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping (HKCoS) was officially established in Hong Kong on October 7, 2024. Co-founded by Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and Hing Chao, Executive Chairman of Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Limited, the Chamber is an industry association that encompasses the entire maritime industrial chain and ecosystem.

Operating with the purpose of advancing the overall well-being of Hong Kong, the Chamber centres on the broad concept of shipping, bringing together entrepreneurs and professionals from across the ports, energy, legal, finance, and trade sectors, as well as other related services. It aims to leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages to contribute to the nation’s long-term strategic goals and to promote the sustained high-value-added development of Hong Kong’s maritime and related industries.

At the same time, HKCoS seeks to strengthen links between Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and relevant sectors, effectively coordinating the collaborative development of Hong Kong’s shipping industry at the national level. It works to enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international maritime centre and to promote the systematic, high-quality development of the shipping industry alongside associated fields like trade and finance. The Chamber also strives to support the healthy development of the marine industry and the building of a resilient marine ecosystem, enhance environmental and social governance (ESG) standards, and support the sustainable growth of shipping and related industries through the continuous upgrading of maritime education.