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Port of Hong Kong forms Seaport Alliance

[ January 16, 2019   //   ]

Hong Kong International Terminals Limited (HIT), Modern Terminals Limited, COSCO-HIT Terminals and Asia Container Terminals Limited recently announced the formation of the Hong Kong Seaport Alliance, a joint operating agreement designed to deliver more efficient service offerings to carriers that call on Hong Kong while enhancing the overall competitiveness of the Port of Hong Kong across the region.
The Seaport Alliance will offer a total of 23 berths and the planning for which is conducted by an Operations Coordination Team using a common terminal operating system.
“The formation of the Seaport Alliance will further enhance efficiencies, increase utilization and improve our overall service offering to customers,” said Gerry Yim, Managing Director of Hong Kong International Terminals.
Peter Levesque, Group Managing Director of Modern Terminals Limited, added: “The Seaport Alliance will improve the value proposition of Hong Kong to customers, while reducing emissions and enabling Hong Kong to more effectively compete within the region. For almost two centuries Hong Kong has played a vital role in the facilitation of global trade. The Seaport Alliance, and the application of new technologies, will enable Hong Kong to thrive as an international shipping hub for decades to come.”
Hong Kong is the sixth busiest port in the world but has experienced consistently declining TEU traffic since 2005, when it got pushed off first place. Observers say the reason for this has been the port’s slow adoption of automation technology compared to other ports in China and region at large. It also suffered after China relaxed laws prohibited foreign-flagged vessels from moving cargo from one mainland port to another in 2013.
Hanaliang Zhu, Managing Director, Asia Container Terminals Limited, said the alliance could help Hong Kong regain its place as a key gateway. “By achieving additional efficiencies through optimized use of terminal assets, the Port of Hong Kong will continue to be a reliable transshipment hub in the region and a key gateway to China.”
Lawrence Shum, Managing Director, COSCO-HIT Terminals (Hong Kong) Limited, made this observation: “The maritime and port industry is a major part of trading and logistics which is one of the four economic pillars of Hong Kong. We will work together to enhance the position of Hong Kong as an international shipping center.”

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