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November 25, 2023
This week is Hong Kong Maritime Week 2023, an annual flagship event of Hong Kong's maritime and port industry. This year’s edition has around 50 activities held over a seven-day period which demonstrates Hong Kong’s strength as a robust maritime cluster, and reflects its resilience and vision that define the city's maritime sector.
Upgrade edition
This year’s opening ceremony is a collaboration between the upgraded edition of "Hong Kong Maritime Week 2023" and the 3rd World Maritime Merchants Forum, with the Main Forum of the 3rd World Maritime Merchants Forum started right after the ceremony. We are very honoured to have Mr. Fu Xuyin, Vice Minister of Transport visiting Hong Kong, and officiated at the ceremony with the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee. I also took the opportunity to make exchanges with Vice Minister Fu, and briefed him on the latest development of Hong Kong’s transport and logistics.
“Hong Kong Maritime Week 2023” opens on November 20, 2023.
Another highlight of "Hong Kong Maritime Week 2023" is the Asia Logistics and Maritime Conference (ALMAC) organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the HKSAR Government. ALMAC is the largest conference of its kind in the Asia region. The two-day conference gathered more than 2,000 global delegates, including approximately 70 speakers from 15 countries or regions. This conference provided a platform for industry elites from around the world to share latest market insights, expand their networks, and exchange ideas on cutting-edge logistics solutions.
The two-day Asia Logistics and Maritime Conference gathered more than 2,000 global delegates. The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, also shared his insights at the Conference.
The 4th Mare Forum Hong Kong did a comeback and held a physical forum in Hong Kong after a four-year hiatus. Mr. Georgios Kostoulas, CEO of Mare Forum based in Netherlands, also attended the forum. I met with different leaders of the maritime industry from around the world who shared their insights into the development of global maritime industry.
I meet with different leaders of the maritime industry from around the world at the Mare Forum Hong Kong.
I would like to share my participation as one of the keynote speakers in the “HKFI x IUMI Seminar - Insuring the Global Navigation”. According to the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index, Hong Kong ranks fourth globally, with over 1,100 maritime and port-related companies providing high-quality maritime services to global shipping companies. Our maritime insurance market is equally thriving and comprehensive. Twelve out of the 13 members of the International Protection and Indemnity Club (P&I Club) have a presence in Hong Kong, which is the largest cluster of representatives outside London. And let's not forget the Asia Hub, established by the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) since 2016, which marks the organisation's first permanent presence outside its Germany Headquarters.
The “HKFI x IUMI Seminar - Insuring the Global Navigation” is another key activity of the “Hong Kong Maritime Week 2023”
Maritime Week for All
In addition to showcasing our robust infrastructure and capabilities, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some highlights on maritime education activities that have been taking place during the Maritime Week. Some of these activities are still ongoing today and I encourage you all to seize this opportunity to go take a look.
The Maritime Services Training Institute in Tuen Mun and the Hong Kong Sea School in Stanley, Southern District, are hosting open days today. The Maritime Services Training Institute will demonstrate maritime rescue and firefighting exercises and showcase vessel navigation simulation, while the Hong Kong Sea School offers water activities, performances by the Silver Band, as well as VR Maritime Training experience sessions. Both open days are highly recommended for teenagers to learn about their training programmes and experience a maritime-themed youth life.
Moreover, the Hong Kong Maritime Museum at Pier 8 in Central is hosting a free Family Fun Day today. In addition to their fascinating permanent exhibitions, there are various booths offering opportunities for learning about maritime knowledge and culture, including displays of international Signal Flag and ship object.
One of the key public events this year is the visit of "M.V. Yu Kun" - the nation's first developed ocean-going vessel dedicated for maritime training managed by Dalian Maritime University(DMU). Public can get on board, understand its facilities, and have face-to-face exchange with the DMU delegation. Members of the public may gain a better understanding about seafarers' daily life, maritime education and modern ship technologies. Although the public visit to the "M.V. Yu Kun" will end by noon today, you can still revisit the video on the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board's Facebook page.
“M.V. Yu Kun”, the nation's first developed ocean-going vessel dedicated for maritime training managed by Dalian Maritime University(DMU), arrived in Hong Kong and has been open to the public for 7 days.
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