5th September 2024 – (Hamburg) Lam Sai-hung, Secretary for Transport and Logistics and Chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB), led a delegation to Hamburg, Germany, from 2nd to 5th September to promote Hong Kong as an international maritime centre. The mission aimed to engage with key players in the maritime industry and highlight Hong Kong’s strategic position as a vital link between Mainland China and global markets.
During the three-day visit, Mr Lam and his team met with representatives from the Hamburg Port Authority, major shipping lines, logistics firms, and the shipowners’ association. They discussed Hong Kong’s high value-added maritime services and toured local port facilities, gaining insights into the smart and sustainable technologies employed in German terminals.
A key highlight of the visit was the delegation’s participation in the Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology (SMM) trade fair 2024, where Mr Lam delivered a speech on 3rd September. He outlined the latest developments in Hong Kong’s maritime industry and participated in a panel discussion on energy transition in global transport and logistics.
“Efficiency and connectivity are the hallmarks of Hong Kong’s maritime sector. With over 300 container vessel sailings weekly to nearly 500 global destinations, we pride ourselves on our status as a free port with efficient customs procedures,” Mr Lam stated. He noted that Hong Kong is home to more than 1,100 maritime service companies and ranks among the world’s top four shipping centres, as per the 2024 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index Report.
Mr Lam acknowledged the challenges facing Hong Kong as a free port but emphasised that such challenges also present opportunities. He referenced the Action Plan on Maritime and Port Development Strategy, announced last December, which aims to enhance port competitiveness and promote the Hong Kong maritime brand.
The SMM trade fair is one of the largest events in the maritime industry, attracting over 40,000 visitors and 2,000 exhibitors globally, including participants from Hong Kong and Mainland China.
On 4th September, Mr Lam hosted a networking lunch with 20 representatives from German maritime enterprises to foster business relationships. He also engaged in a media interview to promote Hong Kong’s maritime strengths and paid a courtesy visit to the Chinese Consul General in Hamburg, Mr Cong Wu, to update him on Hong Kong’s maritime developments.
The delegation concluded their Hamburg visit and is set to arrive in Athens, Greece, later today.
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