Hong Kong, 15 November 2026 – The Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping (HKCoS) today launched the inaugural HKCoS Dialogue, a new international platform designed to foster strategic dialogue and cooperation among global maritime leaders at a time of profound change for the shipping industry.

Featured as part of the 10th anniversary edition of Hong Kong Maritime Week, the HKCoS Dialogue brought together senior executives, policymakers and think tank representatives from more than 60 leading shipping, trade and maritime organisations from around the world.

Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, energy transition and evolving global trade patterns, participants exchanged views on the future of shipping under the themes "Rooted in the Nation: Policy Insights and Integrated Development" and "Engaging the World: Fostering Mutual Trust and Shared Prosperity".

Distinguished participants included Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Li Xinghu, Vice Minister of Transport of China; and Liu Chun-san, Acting Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the Hong Kong SAR Government.

In a video address opening the Dialogue, Arsenio Domínguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), commended the initiative for bringing together stakeholders from across the maritime ecosystem to engage in open and constructive discussions on the industry's most pressing challenges.

"The future of shipping depends on how effectively we work together to address sustainability, safety and security," he said, highlighting the importance of maintaining secure trade routes, freedom of navigation and a rules-based international maritime system while advancing global decarbonisation efforts.

Speaking at the event, Leung Chun-ying underscored the need for greater international dialogue and collaboration amid a rapidly changing global landscape. He called for deeper cooperation in areas including establishing regular international and regional dialogue mechanisms to promote regulatory alignment and mutual recognition of standards; accelerating the development of green shipping corridors and decarbonisation governance frameworks; safeguarding resilient maritime supply chains against protectionism and the weaponisation of trade; strengthening maritime talent development and knowledge-sharing platforms; and enhancing high-value maritime services by leveraging Hong Kong's common law system and financial strengths.

Vice Minister of Transport Li Xinghu described Hong Kong as a critical "super connector" linking Chinese and international maritime markets. While noting the city's strengths in ship registration, maritime arbitration, shipping finance and maritime insurance, he stressed that future competitiveness would increasingly depend on innovation, sustainability and service excellence.

"Hong Kong's future lies not only in cargo volumes, but in value creation," he said, calling for continued development of green shipping, digitalisation and high-end maritime services.

Liu Chun-san, Acting Secretary for Transport and Logistics, outlined the Hong Kong SAR Government's latest initiatives to promote maritime decarbonisation and digital transformation. He highlighted the city's ambition to become a regional hub for green marine fuel bunkering and trading, supported by an open and internationally connected market ecosystem.

He also reaffirmed the Government's commitment to strengthening Hong Kong's maritime services sector through targeted tax incentives and continued support for maritime legal and arbitration services.

As part of the event, HKCoS signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Global Innovation and Knowledge Center for Sustainable Transport, establishing a framework for collaboration in sustainable shipping, policy research, international exchanges and Greater Bay Area initiatives.

The Dialogue featured two high-level discussions. The first, moderated by Cichen Shen, Asia-Pacific Editor of Lloyd's List, examined national policy developments shaping the future of shipping, Hong Kong's evolving role within China's maritime strategy, opportunities arising from the energy transition and the future of maritime services.

The second session, jointly moderated by Michal Kurtyka, former Minister of Climate and Environment of Poland, and Professor Christine Loh of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, explored the implications of geopolitical change, global decarbonisation efforts, energy security and international cooperation in an increasingly uncertain world.

Closing the event, Hing Chao, Chairman of the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping, said Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to strengthen its role as a "super connector" between Mainland China and the global maritime community. Addressing the industry's decarbonisation agenda, Chao noted that China's rapidly advancing capabilities in electrification, alternative fuels and carbon capture technologies must be matched by market demand and aligned standards. He called for greater flexibility in regulatory arrangements to facilitate green fuel bunkering across jurisdictions and closer cooperation within the Greater Bay Area to establish Hong Kong as a leading green marine fuel bunkering and trading hub.

On digitalisation, Chao emphasised that the successful adoption of artificial intelligence in shipping will depend on trusted data ecosystems, transparent reporting standards and clear frameworks governing data ownership, access and oversight. He urged industry stakeholders to continue working towards common standards through multilateral engagement and practical partnerships, citing pilot bunkering projects, shared contractual frameworks and industry-led initiatives as important catalysts for broader adoption and international alignment.

Chao also called for the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board to be institutionalised as a permanent statutory body and highlighted the importance of maritime talent development and called for stronger public-private collaboration to accelerate the implementation of initiatives such as green shipping corridors and other decarbonisation projects.

Looking ahead, he stressed the importance of maintaining open dialogue between industry, governments and international institutions, including the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

He added that the Chamber intends to continue the conversation internationally, with plans to convene follow-up engagements in Europe in early 2027 and an ambition to bring the HKCoS Dialogue to London within the next year as part of its efforts to strengthen global maritime cooperation.

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About the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping

Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping (HKCoS) is an industry-focused chamber that encompasses the entire ecosystem and industry chain of shipping. It embraces shipping, legal and other professional services, energy, finance, insurance and trade. With the institutional advantage of the "one country, two systems" arrangement, HKCoS aims to promote the sustainable and high value-added development of Hong Kong's maritime sector, helping our country achieve its long-term strategic goals and elevate Hong Kong's position as a global trade, finance and maritime centre for the benefit of the public as a whole. The Chamber promotes close collaboration between Hong Kong, the Mainland, and global maritime sectors for more effective joint development and at the same time strives to improve environmental and social governance to strengthen the healthy and high-quality development of the industry with a sustainable future.

Contacts:

Miss Christy Hung | Tel: +852 3583 0963 | Email: christyhong@hkcos.hk

Sophie Wu | Tel: +852 6232 6901 | Email: sophiewu@realmediahk.com

Carol Zao | Tel: +852 5608 6153 | Email: carolzao@realmediahk.com