Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024 Launches with Focus on Sustainable Shipping and Green Initiatives

Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024 holds opening ceremony today

The annual highlight of the Hong Kong maritime and port industry, Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024 (HKMW 2024), held its grand opening ceremony today (November 18). Riding on the theme "Navigating to a Greener Future" and featuring the tagline "Propel Hong Kong", HKMW 2024 is showcasing the strong commitment of Hong Kong's maritime industry in sailing towards sustainable shipping and consolidating Hong Kong's status as an international maritime centre.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said, "Sustainability - transforming Hong Kong into a green maritime centre - is at the heart of our policy priorities." He also mentioned that the Government had just promulgated the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering, which includes the development of essential infrastructure, encourages ports to reduce carbon emissions as well as provides incentives for using green maritime fuels. In order to underpin the aspiration of transforming Hong Kong into a green maritime fuel bunkering centre, the Action Plan also underscores collaboration with ports in the Greater Bay Area, as well as collaboration with other ports in the development of a green shipping corridor.

The Chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB) and the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, followed with a speech. He said, "The global maritime sector is undergoing profound transformation in recent years, driven by digitalisation, decarbonisation, geopolitical and trade dynamics. The global maritime community is responding flexibly and effectively to the forces of change." He added that enhancing Hong Kong's role as a maritime "super-connector" has always been the Government's priority, and this is one of the purposes of HKMW. The programme of HKMW this year has seen even stronger connections with the international community, with the International Chamber of Shipping staging a two-day Global Maritime Trade Summit for the first time in Hong Kong. Government officials from around the world are expected to gather in Hong Kong to conduct dialogues on issues affecting the international maritime community.

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr Arsenio Antonio Domínguez Velasco, emphasised in his recorded speech that the maritime sector is navigating to a greener future. He highlighted that maritime decarbonisation requires a collective effort, and must be inclusive and support developing countries. The transition to decarbonisation should facilitate technology trials to advance maritime decarbonisation, while the use of digital tools should also be supported to optimise operations, reduce fuel consumption, and monitor emissions in real time.

The opening ceremony was followed by the World Maritime Merchants Forum (WMMF) 2024 Main Forum which is one of the anchor events under HKMW 2024. With the theme "Navigating the Cycles", this forum aims to focus on the new opportunities and challenges faced by the maritime industry amid the changes in the global economy and trade and transportation.

The Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC) 2024, another anchor event under HKMW 2024, also commenced on the same day. With a thematic focus on "Shaping the Future of Supply Chains: Resilience and Sustainability", this two-day conference brings together stakeholders along the supply chain, including aviation, maritime and logistics service providers and shippers from around the world, to exchange market intelligence and explore global business opportunities.

Apart from the WMMF and ALMAC, the Hong Kong Global Maritime Trade Summit for industry leaders and policymakers worldwide concluded this morning. Participants engaged in discussions on global trade and shipping issues, and exploring innovative solutions to address the most pressing challenges facing the maritime industry. The IMO will also host a forum on November 22 titled From Waste to Wealth: Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Ship Recycling, focusing on the sustainable recycling of ships and related prospects.

In addition, the world’s first intelligent research and training dual-purpose ship, Xin Hong Zhuan, will also make a debut visit to Hong Kong. Due to an overwhelming response to the Xin Hong Zhuan vessel tour, the registration quota is full. A video clip will later be published on the Facebook pages of the Transport and Logistics Bureau(TLB) and the HKMPB so that members of the public will have a better understanding of the developments of intelligent shipping and the nurturing of maritime talent.

HKMW 2024 runs for seven days. Over 50 industry and public events will be hosted by more than 80 local, Mainland and international marine organisations, attracting the participation of about 14,500 industry professionals from around the world. Entering its eighth edition this year, HKMW is organised by the HKMPB and co-organised by the Hong Kong Shipowners Association and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, and continues to receive support from partners such as the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Invest Hong Kong. For more details of HKMW 2024, please visit www.hkmw.hk.

With a view to stepping up publicity on HKMW 2024 and promoting Hong Kong's maritime industry, the TLB and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) have jointly produced a TV mini-drama series, "Maritime Mission", which will be aired for five consecutive days from today onward on the following TVB channels and time slots (broadcast times are subject to the latest announcements of the TV station):

81 Jade - 9am, 12.50pm and 2.30pm;

82 TVB Plus - 2.15pm, 4.20pm and 7pm (November 18, 19, 21 and 22) and 6.25pm (November 20); and

83 TVB News Channel - 12.40pm, 4.45pm and 10pm.

Programme replays are also available at the Facebook pages of the TLB and the HKMPB.

Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024 holds opening ceremony today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024 holds opening ceremony today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024 holds opening ceremony today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024 holds opening ceremony today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024 holds opening ceremony today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024 holds opening ceremony today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs visits Black Point Power Station of CLP Power Hong Kong Limited

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Environmental Affairs visited Black Point Power Station of CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP) at Tuen Mun today (November 18) to learn about the operation of the power station, the CLP's decarbonisation roadmap, as well as the mitigation measures taken to cope with extreme weather.

Members first received a briefing by the CLP management on the operation of Black Point Power Station as well as the progress of its "Climate Vision 2050" decarbonisation targets. Members noted that the second new gas-fired generation unit at Black Point Power Station has been commissioned this year, increasing the CLP's local gas-fired generation ratio. The CLP has been working to gradually phase out coal-fired generation and explore new technologies to align with the Government's net-zero electricity generation decarbonisation strategy, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.

Members then observed the drones and robotics technology, including the cage drone and the crawler robot, utilised at Black Point Power Station to mitigate the risks faced by staff working at height and confined spaces.

In addition, Members learned about the CLP's enhanced measures against extreme weather, including line arresters, raised-floor switch rooms, flood gates, sump pumps and flooding alarm systems at power facilities such as power stations and transmission towers. During the visit, Members exchanged views with the CLP representatives on contingency measures to cope with extreme weather, and strengthening stability and reliability of power supply.

Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of the Panel, Mr Lau Kwok-fan; the Deputy Chairman, Mr Chan Siu-hung; Panel members Mr Gary Zhang; Professor Lau Chi-pang; as well as non-Panel members Mr Michael Tien; Mr Luk Chung-hung; Mr Duncan Chiu; and Mr Benson Luk.

LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs visits Black Point Power Station of CLP Power Hong Kong Limited Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs visits Black Point Power Station of CLP Power Hong Kong Limited Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs visits Black Point Power Station of CLP Power Hong Kong Limited Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases