Hong Kong Shipping Register Crossing 100 Million Gross Tonnage

 

To Hong Kong, it’s more than a vote of confidence, Anthony said.  Hong Kong’s maritime tradition is almost two centuries old.

 

Hong Kong served as a port of registry under the UK Ship Register since the 1840s until the establishment of the autonomous Hong Kong Shipping Register in 1990 under the administration of the Marine Department. For those who are interested, our first shipping register is now on display at the other side of the hall.

 

Upon its inception in 1990, the Hong Kong Shipping Register had a mere 765 ships with a total gross tonnage of six million.

 

According to a UN report in October 2015, Hong Kong accounted for 8.6 per cent of the world’s total tonnage. Registries with good track record usually host younger fleets and keep a tight rein to ensure compliance with international regulations.

 

The Hong Kong Shipping Register currently ranks first in Asia and fourth in the world.

 

It has the youngest fleet among the top 35 flags. Not only are we strong in numbers, Hong Kong-registered ships are also among the best performers in the world. The detention rate of ships flying the Hong Kong flag is only slightly above 1 per cent, compared with the world average of 3.5 per cent.

 

"We are delighted and indeed proud that the Hong Kong Flag is a reputable flag of choice and quality."

 

Anthony said: "The success of our shipping register owes a large part to our excellent partners in the maritime services sector. There are over 700 shipping-related companies operating in Hong Kong, providing a great variety of quality maritime services ranging from ship management, ship broking and chartering to maritime law and arbitration. We are also the leading international ship finance centre in Asia, with eight out of the world’s top 10 bookrunners setting up offices here."

 

The Hong Kong Port is one of the busiest container ports in the world. It provides frequent and comprehensive liner shipping services with about 340 container liner services per week connecting to around 470 destinations worldwide.

 

Our shipping industry has indeed achieved a lot in the past decades and we should perhaps all give ourselves a pat on the back for that.

 

However, challenges are always just around the corner, one of which is the intense competition we are facing from emerging ports in the Asia-Pacific region. 

 

The Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board will be serviced by the Transport and Housing Bureau. To strengthen our support to the Board, the Board Secretariat will be led by a Deputy Secretary carrying concurrently the title of Commissioner of Maritime and Port Development.

 

The Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board will be officially established in April 2016.