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Opinion
How Hong Kong can re-emerge as a leader in maritime trade
As the city moves to reclaim land for modern industries, it should also reclaim its leading role in container shipping and logistics
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Francis Neoton Cheung is the chairman of Doctoral Exchange, a public policy research collective, and a former member of the Land and Building Advisory Committee.
The Development Bureau’s recent proposal to reclaim 301 hectares – including 145 hectares near Lung Kwu Tan and 45 hectares in Tuen Mun West for an “advanced construction industry park” and a “smart and green industrial port” – carries futuristic appeal. But it risks overlooking a strategic opportunity that could help Hong Kong regain its footing as a global maritime hub: repositioning the area as the home of the city’s next-generation container terminal and logistics network.
Hong Kong once led the world in container shipping. In 2008, the city’s throughput was nearly 24.5 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEU), making it the third busiest port on the planet that year. Fast forward to 2023 and throughput had shrunk to 14.4 million TEU. Hong Kong slipped from the world’s top 10 for the first time. In contrast, Shenzhen Port’s container throughput exceeded 30 million TEU in recent years.
These aren’t just numbers. They reflect regional momentum and Hong Kong’s waning relevance in global supply chains.
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