Hong Kong hosts the Greater Bay Maritime Forum with extensive participation and cooperation agreements

On November 1, the Hong Kong Shipowners Association(HKSOA) hosted the inaugural Greater Bay Maritime Forum, with over 300 key personalities from the shipping community in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and many other parts of the world taking part, onsite or online, and two agreements for co-operation in the GBA signed.

Both the national 14thFive-Year Plan and the GBA Outline Development Plan reaffirmed Kong's status as an international maritime centre, noted HKSOA ChairmanBjorn Hogjaard. He told the Forum audience in his welcome address that at this turning point in the new era, the Association considers it a great opportunity to set out a new vision for the shipping community, with a view tostrengthening cross-sector and cross-city co-operation in the GBA, promoting the growth of the industry through knowledge and innovation, and consolidating Hong Kong's strategic position in the GBA – China – World axis.

The Forum, supported by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Guangzhou Port Authority, featured four keynote speeches from Hong Kong Chief Executive Mrs Carrie Lam, GBM, GBS;from Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, GBM, GBS, SC, JP; fromMs Sabrina Chao, JP, President of the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO);  and from MrSun Xiuqing, Director-General of the Guangzhou Port Authority. There were also expert panel discussions on three key topics: the integration of commercial principals and maritime services into the GBA, the transformation of the industry in the GBA through decarbonization and digitalization, and grooming talent and building a maritime culture in the GBA.

In her address, Hong Kong Chief Executive Mrs Carrie Lam said, “…….”
 
During the event, two memoranda of understanding (MoU) were signed, on co-operation and promotion of international maritime arbitration between the Guangzhou Arbitration Commission, the Shenzhen International Arbitration Court, the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission Hong Kong Arbitration Centre, the China Maritime Arbitration Commission Hong Kong Arbitration Centre, and the Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group; and the other on co-operation in maritime development and training between the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) China Liaison Office, and the Guangdong Shipowners Association.

In her keynote speech, Secretary for Justice Ms Teresa Cheng said, “Today's ceremony marks the beginning of a new era in maritime development, one whose future lies in stakeholders' continued commitment in collaboration. Bearing in mind that we all have a part to play, I am confident that the maritime community will be able to sail together through the new era with common goals and shared prosperity.”

Both Ms Sabrina Chao, BIMCO President and Mr Esben Poulsson, ICS Chairman congratulated the Forum for enhancing co-operation of maritime sectors in the GBA, in the long-term interest of global shipping.

In his closing address, Forum convenor Hing Chao said: “….”

The Forum is a major event in Hong Kong Maritime Week 2021 and Hong Kong Legal Week 2021, and is sponsored by the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board, Invest Hong Kong, WahKwong Maritime Transport Holdings Limited, Reed Smith Richards Butler, The American P&I Club, and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank.

The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Xinde Marine News.