13
Transport
International Transport and Logistics Hub
Logistics is an important sector of the economy, accounting for about 4 per cent of Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product. Given its strategic location, world class infrastructure and business-friendly environment, Hong Kong has long established itself as a preferred transport and logistics hub in Asia. It is also the world's busiest international air cargo centre and one of the world's busiest container ports. These achievements are attributed to the operators of the services and facilities the investors and the efficient workforce, as well as the constructive partnership and co-operation between the private and public sectors. Efficient, reliable and well connected, Hong Kong's airport and seaport are vital to the territory's logistics industry.
Hong Kong is also home to the most productive and efficient container terminals and to the biggest private terminal operators in the world. A comprehensive network of container line services connects the port of Hong Kong with about 520 destinations across the globe. Coupled with its round-the-clock operation, the nine container terminals at Kwai Chung-Tsing Yi provide a total handling capacity of about 20 million TEUS per year.
Development of Hong Kong's Logistics Industry
The Government provides the necessary infrastructure and environment for Hong Kong's logistics sector to grow. It also promotes closer co-operation with the Mainland, in particular the Pearl River Delta region, to achieve synergies in logistics development.
The Hong Kong Logistics Development Council, chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, provides a forum for the private and public sectors to foster logistics development in Hong Kong. The council is sponsoring a study of the feasibility and effectiveness of establishing an information platform to track real-time movement of goods across the border and to improve cargo information for those in the supply chain.
In 2012 the council also jointly organised with industry associations various training programmes, workshops and forums for logistics sector employees to keep them abreast of new technology and developments.
In November 2012, the Second Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference, co-organised by the Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, attracted about 1,300 industry professionals from 21 countries and regions, including the Mainland, to discuss and exchange views on the eastward shift of global logistics, and its impact on logistics, supply chain management and shipping in the region.
Civil Aviation
Hong Kong is a major international and regional aviation centre. At year-end, there were about 110 airlines providing about 6,700 weekly scheduled services between Hong Kong and about 170 cities worldwide. Passenger and cargo throughput at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) were 55.66 million travellers (excluding transit passengers) and 4.03 million tonnes respectively, while air services arrangements with aviation partners were further liberalised during the year.
230