Hong Kong is chosen to host the Global Maritime Forum’s inaugural annual summit on 3-4 October 2018. The meeting will convene industry leaders with policymakers, experts, NGOs and other influential decision-makers, to share ideas on the challenges facing the maritime industry and to develop practical proposals to optimise global seaborne trade and increase sustainable long term economic development and human wellbeing.
Following the successful work of the Danish Maritime Forum, this recently shaped forum aims to serve as a broader platform for dialogue and collaboration, presenting the first results of the initiatives in this inaugural summit.
“We look forward to welcoming the world’s maritime decision-makers to Hong Kong. Like the ocean, the challenges and opportunities that the maritime industry is facing transcend country borders. They are inherently global and the only way to meet them is to join forces and find solutions in unison. The maritime industry is uniquely positioned to contribute to positive change, both for the industry and society” says Frank Chan, Secretary for Transport and Housing of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
The Hong Kong Ship Register is the world’s fourth largest ship register. The city is a major port hub and it has a strong presence of ship owners, cargo owners and traders. Over the years, Hong Kong has seen a continual expansion of its maritime service cluster, including ship management, ship broking, ship finance, maritime insurance and maritime law and arbitration.
“Hong Kong is acknowledged as one of the world’s freest and most competitive economies. Open markets are a prerequisite for the maritime industry to strengthen its role and positive impact on global growth and development. In addition, Hong Kong is a leading maritime hub. This makes Hong Kong an obvious location for the Global Maritime Forum’s inaugural Annual Summit and we are very pleased by the support that we have received from the maritime cluster,” says Peter Stokes, Chairman of the Global Maritime Forum.
Going forward, the Global Maritime Forum’s Annual Summit will be hosted in cities around the world on a rotational basis.
