• Guy Platten and Lam Sai-Hung met in Hong Kong to establish plans for mutual collaboration and to discuss the future of shipping and trade.
• The two organisations agree to host summit during Hong Kong Maritime Week in November 2024.
• The summit will provide grounds for a high-level discussion that aims to build consensus and provide unique perspectives on critical maritime trade issues.

28 May 2024, Hong Kong/London – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the International Chamber of Shipping are pleased to announce their commitment to host a high-level summit during Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024, highlighting the critical role of global trade in today’s ever-changing landscape.

This commitment was solidified during a meeting between Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, and Lam Sai-Hung, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Transport and Logistics.

A meeting of minds

During the meeting both parties agreed on the importance of collaboration and addressing the unprecedented challenges facing global trade. From geopolitical turbulence, technological advances, and decarbonisation, the need for innovative solutions has never been more pressing.

Recognising this, Mr Platten and Mr Lam agreed to facilitate dialogues amongst industry leaders and policymakers to promote efficiency, sustainability, and resilience in global trade and shipping.

Organising a high-profile event

The Global Maritime Trade Summit, scheduled to coincide with Hong Kong Maritime Week (HKMW) in November, will serve as a pivotal event for leaders to gather and bring forward solutions to maintaining efficient international trade systems. The summit, organised by ICS, will bring together senior leaders, ministers, government shipping ministry DGs, as well as representatives from ports, logistics, regulators, development banks, international agencies, and invited experts.

Building on the success of previous summits, this gathering will provide a platform for discussion, encourage unique perspectives, and facilitate the development of actionable solutions to address the challenges facing the industry.

“As an international maritime centre, Hong Kong is well-positioned to serve as a global platform that fosters cross-border exchange and synergy. We express our gratitude for ICS’s continuous support to the Hong Kong maritime industry, as revealed by its active participation in the annual flagship event HKMW over the past several years. Hong Kong looks forward to welcoming the Summit later this year,”

said Mr Lam, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Transport and Logistics.

“We are seeing significant challenges to the system of trade rules that have ensured growth and prosperity for all. This partnership marks a significant step towards in the maintenance of an efficient and sustainable framework for the maritime industry and for global trade,”

said Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping.

“We are excited to work closely with the Hong Kong government to address mutual issues and explore potential solutions which can then be implemented on a global scale.”

The programme will feature discussions on a wide range of topics, including the impact of geopolitical realities on maritime trade, innovative approaches to sustainability and resilience, and the role of technology in shaping the future of the industry.

Looking to the future

Previous ICS Summits have seen real progress and innovation, with the London Summit in 2022 leading to the creation of the Clean Energy Marine Hubs. It is hoped that these future collaborative efforts will drive similar innovative initiatives toward addressing global challenges.