For Immediate Release

CILTHK welcomes Policy Address 2024 Initiatives on Transport and Logistics Development

The CILTHK welcomes the Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address and its focus on taking forward the transport and logistics related policies and infrastructure such as enhancing Hong Kong's position as an International Shipping Centre and International Aviation Hub. We are particularly encouraged by the initiatives addressing nine key areas critical to the industry's growth and competitiveness. 

1. Take Forward Development of the Northern Metropolis

We are pleased to see that the Northern Metropolis will gradually enter its maturity phase. With the completion of the new Huanggang Port building, which will feature co-location of immigration and customs clearance, the cross-boundary travel experience between Hong Kong and Shenzhen will be greatly enhanced. In the long term, the Northern Link Main Line and the Northern Metropolis Highway (San Tin Section) will become crucial east-west transport links within the Northern Metropolis, creating the necessary conditions for its development in terms of transportation. This will significantly boost our economic growth and bolster our technology industries, and the Northern Metropolis will become the new engine of Hong Kong’s economic development.

2. Promote Major Transport Infrastructure Development

We fully support the Government in actively following through with the Major Transport Infrastructure Development Blueprint for Hong Kong, especially as cross-boundary railway projects are being advanced at full speed. Hung Shui Kiu Station will be the starting point of the Hong Kong Shenzhen Western Rail Link in Hong Kong, providing a rapid railway link directly to Qianhai in Shenzhen. This will be a crucial cross-boundary railway corridor between the western parts of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and important for the development of the western Northern Metropolis. The Northern Link Spur Line, extending from the San Tin station of the Northern Link Main Line, will further enhance the accessibility of the Huanggang Port, strengthening its role as a key cross-boundary crossing in the central corridor between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and enhancing the linkage between the two cities.

3. Build Smart and Green Mass Transit Systems

Smart and Green Mass Transit Systems have been under study in Hong Kong for several years. We are pleased to see and support the government in promptly initiating the construction of these Smart and Green Mass Transit Systems, and in compressing the time required for construction. Notably, the government has clearly stated that the Kai Tak project will be completed three years ahead of the original target completion date. This will significantly enhance the transport services in the Kai Tak Development, providing the necessary transport infrastructure for the development of the region. Additionally, together with the East Kowloon and Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen projects, we are pleased to see that travel in Hong Kong is becoming much greener, making a significant contribution to the city’s sustainable development and environmental ecology.

4. Promote Development of New Energy

Green transport is a future that everyone in Hong Kong looks forward to. Due to the high capital costs, the transition to new energy in Hong Kong’s transport industry has encountered some difficulties, and operators in the industry generally face significant financial pressure. We support and are pleased to see that the Government will earmark around $750 million under the New Energy Transport Fund to subsidise the taxi trade and franchised bus companies to purchase electric vehicles and launch the Subsidy Scheme for Trials of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Heavy Vehicles. This will greatly help the industry transition to new energy, reduce costs, and thus realise the vision of ‘Zero-carbon Emissions · Liveable City · Sustainable Development’ in Hong Kong.

5. Supporting to Logistics Land Supply

We applaud the government's commitment to creating more land for logistics development. This crucial step would alleviate the longstanding issue of land scarcity and support the expansion of modern logistics facilities. The four quality logistics sites, for example, are instrumental for the industry to develop modern, high-end, multi-storey logistics facilities. Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDAs are ideal locations for warehousing, logistics and value-added activities connecting the Northern Metropolis for the pilot logistics park.

6. Modern Logistics Development

We fully support the development of green maritime hub and aviation hub. Promoting the green transformation of registered ships and offering green fuel bunkering facilities are paramount to advancing Hong Kong to a truly green maritime hub. Additionally, the setting of a target for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) consumption would speed up the reduction of carbon emissions by the aviation industry and cater to the increasing demand of international airlines for SAF; while developing SAF and green maritime fuel supply chains would formulate a long-term plan and visibility for industry development in respect of fuel supply and demand, storage and bunkering. The emphasis on developing new quality productive forces, including the establishment of the Working Group on Developing Low-altitude Economy (LAE), echoes CILTHK’s suggestions on embracing innovation across the logistics sector. The exploration of LAE flying application scenario, including drone parcel delivery, eVTOL and autonomous technology in logistics aligns with our industry's push towards innovation. We look forward to collaborating on initiatives that would enhance efficiency and reduce costs in the logistics sector.

7. Strengthening Hong Kong’s Maritime Leadership

The policy address's focus on developing Hong Kong into a high value-added maritime centre is commendable. We are particularly excited about several key initiatives that would significantly enhance Hong Kong’s maritime capabilities and global competitiveness. For example, the establishment of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board is a crucial step forward. This high-level advisory body would play a pivotal role in assisting the government in formulating policies and long-term development strategies for the maritime sector. While the enhancement and promotion of tax concessions is a welcome move that would undoubtedly strengthen the local maritime ecosystem. These financial incentives would make Hong Kong an even more attractive destination for maritime businesses, fostering growth and innovation within the industry. Another significant initiative on attracting maritime service enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong and recognizing the critical importance of developing maritime services talents would further strengthen the competitiveness of Hong Kong as a high value-added maritime centre.

8. Leverage the strength of the Greater Bay Area (GBA)

We are encouraged to see that the government’s effort in strengthen co-operation in the logistics sector with the western part of Guangdong and other neighbouring areas, through making good use of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to expand the catchment area of our cargo services and facilitate more goods to go through Hong Kong. In addition, the HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park capitalise on land resources in GBA and proximity to the hinterland, and provide cost effective solution for shippers, freight forwarders and airlines. We look forward to more innovative intermodal arrangements for cargo similar to “Fly‑Via‑Zhuhai‑Hong Kong” in future.

9. Modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Enhanced Efficiency

The proposed study on extending the Air Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme for Specified Strategic Commodities to other intermodal transshipment modes is essential as it would facilitate transshipment declaration and permit application. Besides, the exponential growth of e-commerce necessitates a strategic focus on attracting dedicated customs clearance, trade declaration, cargo flights and expanding logistics operations to capitalize on this trend. The review of procedures relevant to cross-border e-commerce would improve the efficiency of customs clearance, good declaration and return. These initiatives would reduce bureaucratic hurdles and enhance Hong Kong's attractiveness as a cross-boundary logistics hub.

About The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong (CILTHK) is a major branch of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (www.ciltinternational.org) is an organisation with an established international pedigree with over 30,000 members working in over 100 countries. It was formed in the United Kingdom in 1919 and granted a Royal Chartered in 1926.

CILTHK (www.cilt.org.hk) was set up in 1968 and is one of the CILT global chapters. CILT is presented worldwide and we all share the common cause to promote and advance the art and science of supply chain, logistics and transport. Currently, the membership of CILTHK is around 2,000 and broadly ranges from experienced senior manager to junior staff in the industries of shipping, logistics, airline, railway, road, public transport, government, educational institutes and consultancy. The Institute regularly organises professional programmes and activities for members, such as seminars, forums, conferences, technical visits; formulates and implements professional codes to ensure and uphold the professional standards in the industry.

Further Enquiry

Please feel free to contact 2866-6336 or by email at info@cilt.org.hk for any areas of our suggestions that we can amplify further.

新聞稿

香港運輸物流學會歡迎《2024年施政報告》中的運輸及物流發展措施

香港運輸物流學會歡迎行政長官在《2024 年施政報告》及其重點推動運輸及物流相關政策和基礎設施，例如提升香港作為國際航運中心和國際航空樞紐的地位。我們對針對行業增長和競爭力至關重要的九個關鍵領域的舉措感到特別鼓舞。

1. 推進北部都會區的發展

我們欣喜地看到，北部都會區將逐步進入成熟階段。隨著新皇崗口岸大樓落成，出入境和清關實行一地兩檢，香港和深圳之間的跨界旅行體驗將大大提升。長遠而言，北環線主幹線和北都公路（新田段）將成為北部都會區內重要的東西向交通紐帶，為北部都會區的發展創造必要的交通運輸條件。這將大大促進我們的經濟增長和支撐科技產業的發展，而北部都會區將成為香港經濟發展的新引擎。

2. 推動主要運輸基建發展

我們全力支持政府積極落實《香港主要運輸基建發展藍圖》，尤其是在跨境鐵路项目全速推進的情況下。洪水橋站將成為香港港深西部鐵路的起點，提供直達深圳前海的快速鐵路連接。這將是連接香港和深圳西部的重要跨境鐵路走廊，對北部都會區的西部發展具有重要意義。北環線支線由北環線新田站延伸，將進一步提升皇崗口岸的可達性，加強其作為港深中心走廊主要跨境口岸的角色，並加強兩地之間的聯繫。

3. 建造智慧綠色集體運輸

智慧綠色集體運輸在香港已經進行了好幾年的研究。我們很高興看到並支持政府迅速啟動這些智慧綠色集體運輸系統的建設，並壓縮施工所需的時間。值得注意的是，政府已明確表示，啟德的項目將比原定目標完成日期提前三年完成。這將大大提升啟德發展計劃的運輸服務，為該地區的發展提供必要的運輸基礎設施。此外，連同東九龍和洪水橋/廈村項目，我們很高興看到香港的出行變得更加綠色，為城市的可持續發展和環境生態做出重大貢獻。

4. 推動新能源發展

綠色運輸是香港人人都期待的未來。由於投資成本高昂，香港運輸業向新能源轉型遇到了一些困難，該行業的運營商普遍面臨巨大的財政壓力。我們支持並樂見政府在新能源運輸基金下預留約七億五千萬元，資助的士業界和專營巴士公司購買電動車輛，並推出「氫燃料電池重型車輛資助試驗計劃」。這將極大地幫助行業向新能源轉型，降低成本，從而實現「零碳排放 · 綠色宜居 · 持續發展」。

5. 物流土地供應配套

我們讚賞政府致力於為物流發展創造更多土地。這一關鍵步驟將緩解長期存在的土地短缺問題，並支持現代物流設施的擴建。例如，四個優質物流用地有助於物流行業發展多層式現代高端物流設施。作為試點物流園 ，洪水橋/廈村新發展區是連接北部都會區的倉儲、物流和增值活動的理想地點。

6. 現代物流發展

我們全力支持綠色海運樞紐和航空樞紐建設。推動註冊船舶的綠色轉型和提供綠色燃料加注設施，對於推動香港成為真正的綠色航運樞紐至關重要。此外，設定可持續航空燃料消費目標將加快航空業減少碳排放，並滿足國際航空公司對可持續航空燃料日益增長的需求；而發展可持續航空燃料和綠色海運燃料供應鏈將為燃料供需、儲存和加注方面的行業發展制定長期計劃和可見性。強調發展新的優質生產力，包括成立發展低空經濟工作組，這與香港運輸物流學會關於在整個物流領域擁抱創新的建議相呼應。對低空經濟飛行應用場景的探索，包括無人機包裹遞送、電動垂直起降飛行器和物流中的自動駕駛技術，與我們行業推動創新不謀而合。我們期待著在提高物流行業效率和降低成本的舉措上進行合作。

7. 加強香港的航運領導地位

《施政報告》聚焦發展香港成為高增值航運中心，值得稱讚。我們對幾項關鍵舉措感到特別興奮，這些舉措將顯著提高香港海事能力和全球競爭力。例如，香港海運港口發展局的成立是向前邁出的重要一步。這個高層次的諮詢機構將在協助政府制定海運業的政策和長期發展戰略方面發揮關鍵作用。而加強和推廣稅務優惠是一項受歡迎的舉措，無疑將加強本地的海事生態系統。這些財政激勵措施將使香港成為對海運企業更具吸引力的目的地，促進該行業的增長和創新。另一項吸引航運服務企業落戶香港的重要舉措，以及認識到培養航運服務人才的重要性，將進一步加強香港作為高增值航運中心的競爭力。

8. 善用大灣區的優勢

我們欣慰地看到政府善用港珠澳大橋，加強與廣東西部及其他鄰近地區的物流合作，擴大香港貨運服務範圍，便利更多貨物經香港進港。此外，香港國際機場東莞物流園善用大灣區的土地資源及其鄰近腹地，為付貨人、貨運代理及航空公司提供具成本效益的解決方案。我們期待未來有更多類似「經珠港飛」的創新多式聯運貨物安排。

9. 實現監管框架現代化以提高效率

建議將「特定戰略物品航空轉運貨物豁免許可證方案」擴展至其他多式聯運轉運模式，十分重要，因為此舉可方便轉運申報和申請許可證。此外，隨著電子商務的指數級增長更需要戰略重點吸引專門的清關、貿易報關、貨運航班和擴大物流業務，以善用這一趨勢。審查跨境電子商務相關程式將提高清關、良好申報和退貨的效率。這些措施將減少行政障礙，並增強香港作為跨界物流樞紐的吸引力。

香港運輸物流學會簡介

香港運輸物流學會 (CILTHK) 是國際運輸物流學會一個主要分會，而國際運輸物流學會 (CILT)     （網址：https://www.ciltinternational.org）是一國際性的非牟利專業組織，現時超過 30 個分會，全球超過 30,000 名會員，遍布 100 多個國家及地區。學會於 1919 年在英國成立， 並於 1926 年獲頒皇家特許狀。

香港運輸物流學會則於 1968 年成立。學會成立宗旨是推廣及提升供應鏈、 物流以及運輸等各範疇的藝術和科學。學會涵蓋多個不同行業，包括海陸 空的客運和貨運。現時香港學會由約 2,000 名會員組成，當中包括資深行政人員、政府公務員、公私營機構及顧問公司的專業人士。學會定期為會員舉辦專業認可培訓及專業活動，例如研討會、論壇、大型會議、參觀活動及持續專業發展計劃；並制定及推行專業守則，確保並維護業內的專業水平。

進一步查詢

如需進一步瞭解我們的建議，請致電 2866-6336 或發送電郵至 info@cilt.org.hk 與本會聯繫。