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HONG KONG DRIVES TO CAPTURE THE COLD-CHAIN MARKET

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Archives, Global Trade Daily, Ocean Ports

HONG KONG DRIVES TO CAPTURE THE COLD-CHAIN MARKET

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In Hong Kong, where many U.S. businesses send shipments to and receive goods from, a new drive to maximize cold chain opportunities is being realized and embraced.

By leveraging Hong Kong’s unique location to support fruit businesses tapping into the growing mainland Chinese market, fresh produce worth more than US$3 billion is arriving at Hong Kong Seaport Alliance (HKSPA) terminals annually.

Through the deployment of more than 7,800 reefer points, twice the capacity of other terminals in southern China, HKSPA expedites every container of fruit through its facilities to enable the freshest delivery to market. 

American companies shipping fresh fruit produce to the region should bear Hong Kong’s port facilities in mind, especially given Chinese demand for fruit imports is predicted to grow by 55 percent come 2025.

Further adding to Hong Kong’s appeal, HKSPA claims consignees can collect shipments immediately after discharge and be on their way within 15 minutes. Simple, convenient, and fast customs procedures mean Shenzhen is an hour away, while one of the world’s largest fruit-consuming epicenters, Guangzhou’s Jiangnan Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market, is just four hours by road.

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Archives, Dispatches, Global Trade Daily, News

HONG KONG SEAPORT ALLIANCE WELCOMES THE WORLD’S LARGEST CONTAINER VESSEL

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Despite the political turmoil gripping Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Seaport Alliance (HKSPA) welcomed HMM GDANSK, the world’s largest container vessel, on its July 12 maiden call to Hong Kong at Kwai Tsing Container Terminal 7.

HMM GDANSK , which is one of the twelve 24,000-TEU class of mega vessels of HMM Co., Ltd., the vessel features a length of 1,312 feet, a width of nearly 201 feet and a maximum capacity of 23,964 TEU. Since June, the vessel has operated THE Alliance Far East Europe 3 service that connects major ports in China, Asia and Europe.

“We are excited to welcome the world’s biggest vessel on its maiden call at such challenging times,” said Leonard Fung, managing director of Hongkong International Terminals (HIT), upon the HMM GDANSK’s arrival.

“This is a momentous event for Hong Kong’s maritime industry and HIT, signifying a vote of confidence in our offering and allowing us to capture future opportunities.”

The vessel is billed as being equipped with the world’s most advanced DS4 (DSME Smart Ship Platform), ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System), monitoring system and smart navigation system. In response to the new International Maritime Organization’s environmental regulations, HMM GDANSK has installed scrubbers to reduce its sulfur emissions.

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Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

World’s Largest Container Vessels Arrive at HKSPA Terminal

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Hong Kong Seaport Alliance announced the successful arrival of the OOCL Hong Kong and ten additional OOCL and Cosco Shipping Lines Ltd. mega vessels at the HKSPA Terminal 8 facility this week, just six months following the alliance’s formation. OOCL Hong Kong- known as one of the largest container vessels in the world, deployed along with the other mega vessels at the end of June for the OCEAN Alliance’s Asia-North Europe Service, which included Hong Kong as a port of call.

“Hong Kong, despite being small in size, has been in the league of the world’s top ten ports for the past 30 years or so. This is an enviable achievement not easy to accomplish. Credits must go to our port operators for the provision of highly efficient and professional services to the international shipping community,” said Angela Lee, Commissioner for Maritime and Port Development and Deputy Secretary for Transport and Housing (Transport).

“Coupled with our sound fundamentals built over the years, including our free port status, strong international connectivity, trusted common law system, and a level playing field for business, I am confident that our port would be able to further leverage on new opportunities presented by the Greater Bay Area Development, the Belt and Road Initiative and the New Land-Sea Corridor, and continue to thrive as a regional transshipment hub,” Lee added.

The massive OOCL Hong Kong container vessel boasts 21,413 TEU capacity and holds the title as the first in the world to exceed the 21,000 TEU capacity threshold. There are currently only 12 container vessels that can boast capacity of this size, and eight of them are among the mega vessels deployed during the OCEAN Alliance’s Asia-North Europe Service, including Cosco Shipping’s GALAXY. 

“As a Hong Kong company deeply rooted in the city, OOCL HONG KONG’s maiden call has a very special place in many of our hearts, said Andy Tung, Co-Chief Executive Officer of OOCL. “Containerships like the OOCL HONG KONG are important ambassadors of world trade and as a home carrier, we are very proud to have this vessel carry the name of Hong Kong, flying the flag of Hong Kong, and continue serving the industries of Hong Kong. OOCL is very blessed to call Hong Kong our home and being an integral part of the city’s vibrant business community over the last 50 years, providing a vital link to global trade. We like to thank the HKSPA for the wonderful hospitality and celebrating this milestone event together with us.” 

“We are proud of being ranked as the World’s Best Transshipment Port by COSCO SHIPPING this year,” said Hanliang Zhu, Managing Director of the Asia Container Terminals Limited (ACT) during the welcoming reception. “We will keep on working closely with the carriers as well as the shippers and other logistics providers to maintain Hong Kong as a reliable transshipment hub in the region.”