Hong Kong’s ranking as one of the world’s major shipping and maritime transport centres is only partly due to its favourable geographical position.

The main reason for its success on the international maritime stage is its collection of some of the world’s most famed shipowners — the Hong Kong-controlled fleet accounts for about six per cent of global tonnage.

Hong Kong’s container throughput is expected to exceed 20 million TEU in 2003, with the opening of a new container terminal. As the largest container terminal ever constructed in Hong Kong, the development of six-berth Container Terminal 9 (CT9) will, by 2005, increase Hong Kong’s planned handling capacity by more than 2.6 million TEU. In 2002, Hong Kong set a record in its container throughput by handling more than 19.1 million TEU.

Officials claim that the port handles one box every one-and-a half seconds, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
With such a strong maritime standing, Hong Kong has its fair share of ICS members, fellows and students. One member, Leader Shipbroking’s Eric Kung, talked to Shipping Network about the importance of the ICS in Hong Kong.

Mr Kung claims that ICS membership allows him to meet more clients and people in the shipping business, while it gives his employees an opportunity to learn more about the business by taking the organised membership examinations. This, in turn, provides a target for his employees, that of passing the exams and qualifying for membership.

These benefits are vital in a regional business that is becoming increasingly competitive, with a growing number of Chinese rivals. It used to be that Hong Kong was the bridge between China and the Western world. Its prime location as the gateway to the mainland of China and trading cross-roads of Asia helped to push its container port into pole position as the busiest in the world.

However, as Mr Kung points out, China is opening up more now, allowing Western brokers and principals to work with Chinese brokers or principals directly.

“In view of this, shipbroking companies in Hong Kong must be able to position themselves more internationally and must educate themselves to become a professional shipping centre. Better service, better knowledge and better coverage are the prerequisites for strengthening our future shipbroking business in Hong Kong.” To Mr Kung, education is extremely important in achieving these aims.

“With continuous learning, we can promote ourselves and give professional advice to our principals. Although the decisionmakers are still the owners/charterers, when problems arise, our professional suggestions can definitely help to protect our principal’s interest and help to find a way to solve the problem amicably.”

He praises his ICS membership in the increasingly competitive Asian shipping markets. “It gives us a good chance to meet our shipping friends who are always working hard in the office. It also brings us the latest news and updates in the business.”

Mr Kung also believes that the company’s threepoint 2003 plan will be made all the easier by membership of the ICS. Leader Shipbroking aims to secure business relationships with its existing clients, is seeking to broaden its client base and wants to try to enlarge its broking team so as to provide better coverage for its owners and charterers in 2003.

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