Hong Kong Shipowners Association celebrates 65 years in its role at the heart of the world's shipping family

Executive chairman Wah Kwong Transport Holdings Hing Chao addresses HKSOA members at the Spring Lunch 2023
 

In February this year the Hong Kong Shipowners Association held its annual lunar new year gathering at a downtown hotel. As the many guests poured in, gravitating toward animated coteries chatting, laughing and pressing the flesh, the sense of a familial get-together prevailed. Over there, the P&I executive deep in conversation with a shipowner – no doubt defending a fourth year of stringent premium increases. Behind them a council of young associate lawyers, perhaps attending their first HKSOA event, and for the most part avoiding the gaze of their seniors. Bankers, members of the classification profession, shipbrokers, equipment suppliers, average adjusters, bunker suppliers and ship register personnel are all adding to the growing mass of individuals that daily help to sustain Hong Kong’s maritime family, or community if you prefer.
 

The sense of family would have no doubt been more prevalent when the 11 founding members of the HKSOA met 65 years ago in 1957. These founding shipowners were invariably family concerns – indeed members of the succeeding generations continue to bestride the industry, at least one of whom is in attendance at this lunar new year event in 2023.

In many ways it was a different world back then. Hong Kong’s first container terminal lay 15 years into the future; the UK Register was the only choice for shipowners; and total export volumes at the time reached HK$5.15bn compared to the HK$681.28bn of 2018. But from the very beginning, when those 11 shipowners were formulating plans for the establishment of the HKSOA, perhaps over the remains of a lunar new year lunch, the purpose was to ensure that their brand new trade association would have a positive influence on the development of the industry that would first benefit Hong Kong, then the region, and ultimately the world.
 

Locally, HKSOA’s executive committee, four sub-committees, and the secretariat, wield more influence than any other local maritime related organizations. On any given day, HKSOA committee members and/or secretariat can be seen advising various government departments whilst putting forward the concerns of its members. Often such meetings result in long-lasting achievements. The HKSOA’s involvement was at the forefront of the establishment of the Hong Kong Register. The support of the HKSOA was also vital in the establishment of the Seaman’s Training Centre in 1984, and its subsequent manifestation as the Maritime Services Training Institute. In the ensuing years the HKSOA and its members have prioritized the welfare of its seafarers both at home and abroad. And, more recently, HKSOA relations with the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board and the Transport and Logistics Bureau have been instrumental in the drafting of a raft of legislation and other measures that have boosted Hong Kong’s competitiveness at an international level.
 

Given the founding members of HKSOA shared common roots in mainland China it was inevitable that they would play a leading role in strengthening shipping links between Hong Kong and the motherland. These were first initiated in 1991 by a delegation on a visit to China’s Minister of Communications. Since the handover of sovereignty to China in 1997, the ties between Hong Kong’s shipping community and its counterparts on the Mainland have deepened and matured to the point that many of China’s leading shipping players not only have a physical presence in the territory, and often a listing on the Hong Kong bourse, but their employees can also be found on several of HKSOA’s committees. 
 

The HKSOA’s footprint on the mainland meanwhile, can be felt through the Association’s efforts on Chinese institutions to be bring standardized training over and above STCW95 guidelines and fully integrate Chinese seafarers into the mainstream. A more visible icon representing the influence of HKSOA in China can be seen in the building that houses the Shanghai-Hong Kong International Maritime Research Centre, the establishment of which arose out a visit by the Association’s China sub-committee in the summer of 2017.
 

By means of segue from HKSOA’s regional influence to its presence on the world stage one could do no better than to recall the close working relationship HKSOA has had with the Chinese Shipowners Association (CSA) for more than a generation. An incalculable upshot of this relationship was realized when the CSA joined the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) in December 2022, thus making the ICS a truly global organization for the first time.
 

But with shipping always being a global industry HKSOA would necessarily seek a matching presence. In 1992, HKSOA was a founding member of the Asian Shipowners Forum and has subsequently been renowned as one of the most vocal members of what is now the Asian Shipowners Association. With a disproportionate influence on shipping policy residing in the west, HKSOA’s membership of the industry’s international organizations was and remains vital in ensuring that the Association’s voice is heard in the global debate. Striking examples include past HKSOA chairman YK Pao’s role as chairman of INTERTANKO during the sulphur emissions debate. More recently one notes the current presence of ex-HKSOA chairman Sabrina Chao, at the head of BIMCO.
 

Most importantly, the HKSOA has gained access to the hallowed halls of the International Maritime Organization, both through Hong Kong’s associate membership and through its membership of ICS. And that persistent voice referred to has been duly acknowledged in comments attributed to the former secretary general of IMO, Efthimios Mitropoulos who was moved to say: 
 

“The Hong Kong Shipowners Association has not been shy to speak out on topics ranging from ships’ Common Structural Rules, to ship emissions and safe manning issues. This is to be welcomed as it contributes to the IMO being able to achieve, through an open debate and consensus on the regulation of the major issues facing shipping today.”

When HKSOA formally celebrates its 65th anniversary with a Gala Dinner on 30 March, there will be no greater testament to the Association’s enduring influence and respect than the many industry and government representatives who have chosen to join the celebrations from all corners of the planet. Some prominent members of the global shipping community have chosen to send congratulatory wishes ahead of the event.
 

ICS chairman Emanuele Grimaldi has offered this personal tribute:
 

“On behalf of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) I wish to congratulate the Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA) on their 65th anniversary. The ability to bring together the industry for so many years is testament to the strength of collaboration across the industry and the hard work and dedication of the HKSOA.  The ICS looks forward to continuing our strong relationship with the HKSOA, to achieve our collective goals and tackle pressing issues facing our industry.”
 

The chairman of the Asian Shipowners Association Xu Lirong has also sent warm words of congratulation and recognition of HKSOA’s achievements:
 

“On behalf of Asian Shipowners Association (ASA), I extend my heartiest congratulations to HKSOA on your 65thanniversary and achieving 65 glorious years of excellence.

“Through the years we have witnessed the advancement of maritime activities in Hong Kong and HKSOA has gained greater recognition as a prestige shipowners association internationally. Your Association and members have upheld high professional standards and made a difference in the shipping community. Collectively, HKSOA as an Ordinary member of ASA has worked collaboratively with all our members to bring about positive and impactful change to the Asian and global maritime industry.
 

As HKSOA celebrates this significant milestone, we wish you even more success in journeying with the future of shipping in the coming years.”
 

Once again food and good cheer will be at the heart of the Gala Dinner gathering. If the 11 founding members could see how far their Association has come in the ensuing years, they would be astounded. If they could witness the handshakes and embraces, the laughter and companionship, they would no doubt be gratified that the sense of a family persists albeit on a global scale.

Source: Hong Kong Maritime Hub

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