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Transport

Strategic Planning

In 2014, the government completed the 'Study on the Strategic Development Plan for Hong Kong Port 2030. Taking into account the study's recommendations and stakeholders' views, the government will take forward a series of port enhancement measures to improve the port's operational efficiency.

Hong Kong Port Development Council

In Hong Kong, all container terminal facilities are financed, developed, owned and operated by the private sector. The government's role is to undertake long-term strategic planning for port facilities and to provide the necessary supporting infrastructure, such as roads and channels to the terminals.

The Hong Kong Port Development Council, chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Housing and comprising industry representatives and senior government officials, advises the government on port development strategies and facility planning to meet future demands. It also assists the government in promoting Hong Kong as a regional hub port and a leading world container port.

Maritime Industry

About 70 international shipping lines offer ocean liner services in Hong Kong, with around 350 sailings weekly connecting to about 510 destinations worldwide. In addition, there are over 700 shipping-related companies operating in Hong Kong, providing a great variety of quality maritime services, ranging from ship agency and management to ship owning, ship broking and marine insurance. Maritime law and arbitration services are also available. Hong Kong is also the leading international ship finance centre in Asia. Hong Kong's ship owners control about 8 per cent of the world's merchant fleet in terms of deadweight tonnage.

Some of the world's largest and oldest shipping companies are based in Hong Kong, providing professional services not only to Hong Kong-registered ships but also to ships calling at Hong Kong. Other international maritime service providers have also set up offices in Hong Kong, providing various supplies and support services including ship maintenance and repair, bunkering, ship replenishment, waste disposal, information technology and communication services, auditing and tax advisory, and training services.

Hong Kong is proactive in negotiating double taxation relief arrangements covering shipping income with its trading partners. It has so far made such arrangements with 39 tax administrations: Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Chile, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Guernsey, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the mainland of China, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Vietnam.

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