It is possible that you have picked up this copy of Hong Kong Maritime Hub The Next 25 Years at one of the more than 40 events being held during Hong Kong Maritime Week 2022. If so, along with the organisers of this premier maritime gathering, we wish you a warm welcome. If you have arrived from overseas thank you for making the effort. We have missed you. You’ll soon find it was worth the effort.
 

There can be no denying that the three years of pandemic induced isolation suffered by our marine related industries, along with the Hong Kong business community as a whole, had dealt a harsh blow to an industry sector which by its very nature is a global business. We are confident however, that Hong Kong Maritime Week will mark the end of the confinement, and raise the curtain on a new era of renewed growth, innovation and global connection.
 

But as you will discover in these pages Hong Kong maritime has not stood still in the interim. In the first interview with the Secretary for the newly-created Transport and Logistics Bureau Lam Sai-hung details the creation of a new tax regime that is already bringing benefits to many maritime sector companies and is set to attract many more businesses to Hong Kong in the years to come. He also outlines plans to prioritise the transition of the Port of Hong Kong into a smart port in line with the Government’s smart city ambitions.
 

In our profile of Elizabeth Sloane, a leading Hong Kong maritime litigator and arbitrator, she offers valuable insight into reciprocal measures with the PRC in the fields of litigation and arbitration that are literally game changing in terms of Hong Kong as a centre for maritime disputes in the future.
 

Most recently, Hong Kong Chief Executive, John Lee chose his policy address in October to unveil a Maritime Services Traineeship Scheme to be introduced in 2023. The aim of the scheme is to provide traineeship for young people interested in a career in maritime.
 

The most important initiative introduced by the policy address and the one to animate shipping’s chattering classes is the proposed formation of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation, which is endowed with HK$30bn. Through the Co-investment Fund, the government will consider co-investing in individual projects of target enterprises, taking into account their potential to drive industry development in Hong Kong. Shipping is among eight key industries targeted by the Fund. For Hong Kong shipowners this would appear to provide a superb opportunity for a cash injection in their drive toward carbon free shipping.
 

This year the citizens of Hong Kong have attended myriad events and read several thousand column inches devoted to the 25th anniversary of the territory’s return to the sovereignty of China. We, on the other hand, with the vision of global shipping’s treasure Dr Martin Stopford, have dared to look at our maritime cluster 25 years into the future.
 

Other features to be found inside this issue resonate with the key industry events that will be rolled out during the seven days of Maritime Week. The decarbonisation strategies of our leading shipowners; advanced training programs for seafarers created by the world’s largest ship manager and; the leading role of digital platforms to transform the supply chain.
 

Look out also for our profile of top shipping financier Kenneth Lam, and a UK Club authored feature on P&I and War Risks cover during a period of international conflict like the Russian-Ukraine war.
 

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