Speeches

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, at the 38th Anniversary Cocktail of the Institute of Seatransport today (November 21):

Simon (Chairman of Institute of Seatransport, Mr Simon Cheng), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. It gives me great pleasure to be here today to celebrate with you all the 38th anniversary of the Institute of Seatransport during the Hong Kong Maritime Week.

Since its inception in 1984, the Institute of Seatransport has all along been our close partner in promoting Hong Kong's maritime and port industry on a variety of occasions, and in particular, during the Hong Kong Maritime Week. The Government is pleased to have the unfailing support from the Institute. The Institute has become a more and more important maritime organisation which consists of seatransport professionals of different disciplines. The Institute also provides newcomers in the industry an excellent platform where they can build their network and acquire professional knowledge from industry veterans. We are in particular thankful for the Institute's efforts in fostering the knowledge exchange within the industry and nurturing new talents.

With the staunch support from the industry, enterprises, institutions and organisations, the Hong Kong Maritime Week has come to its sixth edition. This year, over 40 activities will be staged, ranging from industry-led seminars to family-oriented events and site visits. The Week will serve to promote the Hong Kong maritime industry as a strong cluster and to raise the public's interest in being devoted to the industry.

I am particularly grateful to the Institute for being very supportive to the Hong Kong Maritime Week. Apart from this cocktail reception tonight, the Institute is also co-organising another two events in the Hong Kong Maritime Week, including the seminar on upcoming energy regulations in 2023 with the Hong Kong Shipping Circles Association, and the one-day masterclass on marine insurance co-hosted with Asia Maritime Adjusting. These events are excellent examples of the Institute's great efforts in promoting the exchange of professional knowledge within the Hong Kong shipping industries.

Indeed, the Government shares the same vision with the Institute to nurture the talent pool and to raise the professionalism of the personnel in the maritime industry. To attract our young generation to join the industry and to maintain a maritime talent pool, we have put in place the $300 million Maritime and Aviation Training Fund more than eight years ago. By the end of September this year, the number of beneficiaries of the Fund has already exceeded 14 800. As highlighted in the Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address delivered last month, the Government will launch a Maritime Services Traineeship Scheme next year to provide traineeship for young people who aspire to a career in maritime law. Furthermore, the Government has made tireless efforts to encourage more high-value-added maritime services to come to Hong Kong. One example is the introduction of our tax concessions for ship lessors, marine insurers, and most recently, ship agents, ship brokers and ship managers. We will continue to work with the industry to pursue different policies to consolidate our position as an international maritime centre.

Heartiest congratulations to the Institute of Seatransport on its 38th anniversary. I wish the Institute and its members continued success and new accomplishments in the future. Thank you.