Hong Kong Maritime Week 2020 scheduled for 15-21 November has been cancelled. The main organizer of the territory's most prestigious maritime event, the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board, has yet to officially announce the cancellation. But rumours of the decision to call the week off, have unsurprisingly, in face of the persistent COVID-19 threat, been circulating for some weeks, and confirmation of the cancellation has been received through unofficial channels.

 

The good news, however, is that a number of events may still go ahead depending on the possible COVID-19 restrictions that may or may not be in place in the third week of November. According to information received, as of early September, some 19 companies/organizations had submitted their intent to put on a maritime related event. While such events would not carry the HKMW branding, the HKMPB has said that it would provide them with appropriate support as necessary. Sponsorship proposals would be assessed on their merits.

 

In explaining the decision to cancel HKMW which would have been in its fifth year, the HKMPB said that the disruptions of COVID-19 at the ongoing US-China trade tensions meant that reviving business operations will be the first priority of the industry. More pertinent would be the lack of visitor attendance from mainland China and overseas. And the public health risks of holding such a large-scale series of events.

 

Reluctantly the HKMPB has also ruled out webinars and virtual conferences, stating that technical constraints and time differences would probably discourage the participation of overseas speakers and turnout of event participants.

 

Meanwhile, the HKMW flagship event, the Asian Logistics Maritime and Aviation Conference, (17-18 November) is set to go ahead as an online conference. Hong Kong Maritime Hub will be posting insights and updates on the conference soon.

Source:Hong Kong Maritime Hub

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