Hong Kong: Finally, the Hong Kong government is to focus more attention on shipping. A new maritime bureau, which will include port development as well as shipping services, will be established, the South China Morning Post reported.
Hong Kong has seen its preeminence in Asian shipping fade over the past decade with many in the industry constantly urging previous administrations under Tung Chee-hwa and Donald Tsang to act. CY Leung, the current head of Hong Kong, has been, by far, the most proactive leader to promote Hong Kong’s shipping strengths since reunification with China in 1997.
"What we should do now is to upgrade Hong Kong to be on par with London as an international shipping service hub," lawmaker Miriam Lau Kin-yee said, adding that it was important to focus more on services than the boxport as neighbour Shenzhen was taking box traffic away from the former British colony.
"The new bureau needs to be run by an industry veteran who knows the industry from inside out," Sabrina Chao, the chairman of Wah Kwong, told the local Hong Kong newspaper. "It's not too late if we can act and catch up now," she maintained. [17/02/14]
