Hong Kong shifts port strategy from volume

Hong Kong will shift its container port development strategy from volume growth to higher-value maritime and logistics services. The change is outlined in the city's first Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, covering 2026 to 2030.

The government aims to stabilize container throughput while increasing the economic value generated by the wider port sector. Officials described the move as a transition from "volume based to value driven development."

Kwai Tsing targets smart and green transformation

Modernizing the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals is central to the new strategy. The government plans to collaborate with terminal operators on a roadmap for smart and green upgrades.

Planned improvements include greater use of autonomous electric vehicles, remotely controlled cranes, and onshore power supply facilities. Hong Kong also intends to expand its Port Community System to improve logistics data exchange.

More than 8,000 companies have registered with the system since its launch. The government plans to extend its capabilities using technologies like blockchain-based offshore cargo tracking.

The Five-Year Plan sets specific environmental targets for the Kwai Tsing terminals. It aims to cut carbon emissions by 30% by 2030, using 2021 as a baseline.

The plan also targets establishing five Green Energy Corridors by 2030. It aims for 7% of Hong Kong-registered vessels to use green maritime fuels by the end of the decade.

Hong Kong looks to expand container hinterland

The strategy heavily focuses on improving Hong Kong Port's connections with its hinterland and other ports in the Greater Bay Area. Officials plan to continue developing a comprehensive rail-sea-land-river intermodal transport system.

This aims to expand cargo sources and strengthen the port's role as a transshipment hub for high-value goods. The government highlighted existing freight connections involving Chongqing, Chengdu, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong.

These connections can reduce cargo transport times between the Chengdu-Chongqing region and Hong Kong from two to four weeks to about three days. Further measures will explore cross-province freight operations and river-sea transport to expand the port's cargo hinterland.

Greater integration with neighbouring ports

Hong Kong intends to deepen cooperation with ports across the Greater Bay Area instead of competing solely for container volumes. The plan highlights the differentiated development of Hong Kong's Kwai Tsing Port and Shenzhen's Yantian Port as a model for future regional cooperation.

It calls for revitalizing feeder connections between Hong Kong and other Greater Bay Area ports. Cooperation with Shenzhen and Huizhou on new cross-border container transport models and river-sea cargo services is also planned.

Hong Kong will additionally seek to attract cargo moving between Central and South America and the Greater Bay Area for handling through its port. The strategy includes expanding into markets such as Oceania.

The Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board said the measures provide a clear direction for the city's maritime and port industries. This includes the transformation of Kwai Tsing and deeper cooperation within the Greater Bay Area port cluster.