Hong Kong Transport Authority: Accelerating the intelligent transformation of Kwai Tsing container terminals to promote Hong Kong's upgrading and transformation from a “large tonnage port” to a “value port”

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on November 11, Liu Zhenxin, Acting Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, gave written answers at the Legislative Council meeting on topics such as digitalization, intelligence and green transformation of the shipping industry. Liu Zhenxin pointed out that in the year the country's “15th Five-Year Plan” began, the Hong Kong Government announced the “Hong Kong First Five-Year Plan” in September this year, proactively connecting with the national development strategy, proposing “stabilizing container volume, adding value, and strengthening collaboration” as the main axis, moving from quantitative to value, to accelerate the upgrading and transformation of Hong Kong from a “large tonnage port” to a “value port”, and consolidating Hong Kong's status as an international shipping center by promoting smart green port development, promoting high-quality collaborative port development and strengthening high-value-added shipping services.

Regarding the progress of the Kwai Tsing Container Terminal's intelligent development roadmap, the coverage rate of driverless electric trailers and remotely operated cranes, and whether it will provide financial matchmaking support or tax relief incentives for operators to upgrade automated rail cranes and intelligent yard management systems, Liu Zhenxin said that the Kwai Tsing Container Terminal has a total of 9 piers and 24 berths, operated by 5 private operators. Currently, the terminal operator has introduced 6 driverless electric internal transport vehicles, and 67 cranes (accounting for about 16% of the total) are operated remotely.

The Government is working with the Hong Kong Maritime Ports Development Council and terminal operators to develop a road map for the intelligent development of the Kwai Tsing Container Terminal to accelerate the overall intelligent transformation process. It will also fully consider Hong Kong's unique position as a free port and international transit hub, taking into account factors such as operational efficiency and flexibility, operators' investment affordability and technical viability.

Regarding the number and proportion of small and medium-sized logistics and shipping agency companies registered in the port community system, the number of applications and approvals for the “Future Smart Logistics Acceleration Plan”, and how to implement the “Protection of Critical Infrastructure (Computer Systems) Regulations” to protect the security and privacy of commercial data while promoting data interconnection, Liu Zhenxin said that since it was officially launched in January this year, the port community system has attracted more than 9,000 companies to register, of which about 6,000 are engaged in logistics and shipping agency business, accounting for more than 60%.

The Government launched the “Future Smart Logistics Acceleration Plan” in June this year. As of October, 7 applications have been received, 3 of which have been approved, involving a total funding amount of HK$1.23 million. In terms of data security, the port community system fully complies with the Digital Policy Office's “Government IT Security Policy and Guidelines”. Corresponding IT security measures have been formulated and security risk assessments and audits are carried out regularly to protect the security and privacy of corporate commercial data.

In terms of research on driverless ship regulations, as the International Maritime Organization announced the first international non-mandatory international maritime autonomous ship safety rules in May this year, the Government is actively referring to relevant rules and relevant national standards/guidelines to study and improve Hong Kong's relevant maritime regulations and upgrade supporting port supervision systems and facilities. At this stage, applications for trial operation will be accepted based on the principle of easy first, then difficult, and trial operation will be carried out in stages in appropriate waters according to factors such as complexity of application scenarios, technical maturity, operation mode, and risk level to ensure safe navigation without affecting existing maritime traffic.

Regarding the cumulative number of flights, cargo volume, average cargo loading rate, and average customs clearance and transit waiting time of the “Chongqing-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Sea-Ding Express” combined with the Shenzhen-Hong Kong terminal barge service, and the “Chongqing-Qinzhou-Hong Kong Sea-Rail Intermodal Transport” since regular operation, Liao Zhenxin said that in 2025, the container throughput between Hong Kong and Shenzhen Yantian and Guangxi was about 336,000 and 276,000 TEUs respectively. The “Chongqing-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Train”, “Rong-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Scheduling Train” and “Chongqing-Qinzhou-Hong Kong” sea-rail intermodal transport services are operated by port operators, and the government does not keep relevant cargo volume data.

In terms of port collaboration in the Greater Bay Area, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has three major world-class ports: Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, each with different competitive advantages. The HKSAR Government proposed in the “Hong Kong First Five-Year Plan” to promote high-quality collaborative development between Hong Kong and other ports in the Greater Bay Area. Through various cooperation platforms and coordination mechanisms, it will work with Guangdong Province and relevant organizations to promote the implementation of relevant work to consolidate and enhance the comprehensive strength and competitiveness of the Greater Bay Area port cluster.