The shipping industry has always been one of the most important industries in Hong Kong. The National 11th Five-Year Plan clearly states that the Central Government supports Hong Kong to maintain its competitiveness as an international finance, trade and shipping centre. This statement also highlights that the maritime and shipping industry has played an important role in the economic development of Hong Kong. However, the position of Hong Kong as an international maritime centre has faced increasing challenges. The growth rate of container throughput of Hong Kong Port has declined significantly in recent years. Therefore, it is highly imperative to transform and upgrade Hong Kong’s maritime industry. Drawing upon the experiences of other international maritime centres in the world, this study argues that it is necessary for Hong Kong to reconsider its strategies of upgrading its maritime services in terms of ship owning and management, shipping register, ship broking and chartering, ship finance, marine insurance, maritime arbitration. In the long term, Hong Kong has to transform itself into an international maritime centre beyond the port operation. The study report was published in a press conference held on April 21, 2009. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of our Institute, Mr Leung Chun-ying, officiate at the press conference.
