Hong Kong will establish a Maritime Port Development Authority to consolidate its position as an international shipping center.

On May 28, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics of Hong Kong, Chen Meibao, replied to questions from members of the Legislative Council. She mentioned that the United States government announced on April 17 this year that, based on Section 301, it had conducted an investigation into China's shipping, logistics, and shipbuilding industries. The US government decided to impose port fees on vessels owned or operated by Chinese (including Hong Kong and Macau) companies and ships manufactured in China that use US ports. The Hong Kong government is closely monitoring the situation and has been in close communication with the industry to assess the situation and respond accordingly. The Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Council will be established soon, with non-official members serving as chairman. It will have a dedicated team and additional resources to enhance research, promotion, and manpower training to better support the government in promoting the development of the shipping industry in Hong Kong. Chen Meibao mentioned that the government has implemented various measures in recent years to enhance the competitiveness of the shipping industry. These measures have prepared the industry to better cope with a complex external environment. The Transport and Logistics Bureau of Hong Kong will make good use of its advantages through systematic measures, actively consolidating the local shipping industry chain and exploring opportunities in national and global markets. The government will focus on four key areas in the future, including strengthening the maritime industry ecosystem, leading the industry in seizing green shipping opportunities, deepening Hong Kong's role as an international exchange platform, and expanding into mainland and international markets. In terms of strengthening the maritime industry ecosystem, measures include introducing a half-tax incentive for commodity traders and optimizing existing tax incentives for the shipping industry. The draft legislation for these measures will be submitted to the Legislative Council in the first half of next year. The government will also continue to provide green cash incentives for Hong Kong-registered ships and implement a bulk registration incentive scheme. In supporting and leading the industry to seize green shipping opportunities, the government has already announced the "Green Ship Fuel Mixing Action Plan" at the end of last year. By providing a cooperation platform to catalyze the supply and trading of green ship fuel, Hong Kong aims to become a high-quality green ship fuel mixing center, equipping the industry to respond to international green transformation trends. To deepen Hong Kong's role as an international exchange platform, the government will promote connections between local and overseas industries to expand global business opportunities. The government is actively deepening cooperation with international maritime organizations. Last year's "Hong Kong Maritime Week" was the most international edition ever, with important organizations such as the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Maritime Organization holding events in Hong Kong. These organizations have confirmed their participation in this year's "Hong Kong Maritime Week," with some international organizations holding events in Hong Kong for the first time. Lastly, to help and lead Hong Kong shipping companies in exploring opportunities in mainland and international markets, Hong Kong will leverage its advantages in being an "inward and outward connecting" hub. By establishing intermodal connections with the mainland through the "iron-sea-land-river" transportation network and utilizing the port community system to connect international shipping communities starting in January next year, the government will assist the industry in further improving efficiency and reducing costs. Chen Meibao stated that these measures will greatly enhance Hong Kong's business environment and attractiveness, solidifying its position as an international shipping hub. The Transport and Logistics Bureau of Hong Kong will continue to promote the advantages of setting up in Hong Kong through the Maritime Department's seven service points on different continents and the Investment Promotion Agency's domestic and international networks. In the fourth quarter of this year, the Maritime Department will establish a new dedicated team in the Middle East to focus on promoting Hong Kong to emerging markets in the region.