Services and Activities
SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
The Hong Kong Shippers’ Council was founded with the intention of defending and enhancing the interests of both its members and the wider community of Hong Kong shippers. It gathers to address issues concerning the shipment of goods via sea, land, and air.
Guided by an Executive Committee consisting of representatives from 17 prominent trade associations in Hong Kong, the Council draws its diverse representation and membership from these industry bodies.
THE COUNCIL’S MISSION
At regional and local level, the focus of the Council is to:
• Ensure an open and competitive freight market environment
• Ensure that government policy and practices are geared towards the interests of shippers
• Ensure that proper infrastructure and facilities serve the present and future needs of shippers and logistics operators
• Ensure that carriers’ charges are reasonable, set with sufficient transparency and justification, and subject to proper governance
• Ensure that Hong Kong shippers’ voices are represented locally, regionally and internationally
The Council achieves these goals through the following actions:
1. Engagement in the Consultative Mechanism of the HKSAR Government
The Council upholds its central think-tank role, actively engaging with all consultative and advisory bodies. It has representation in several major logistics and transport-related government committees and advisory groups, including:
• Member, The 6th Election Committee of HKSAR
• Transport Sector, Election Committee of HKSAR
• Industrial (First), Election Committee of HKSAR
• Committee Member, Qualifications Framework Industry Training Advisory (Fashion)
• The Sea Cargo Liaison Group, Hong Kong Customs & Excise Department
• The Road Cargo Systems ROCARS, Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department
• The Logistics Industry Training Advisory Group, Education Bureau and its various sub-committees
• The Tripartite Meeting for Logistics Industry, Labour & Manpower Bureau
• The Industry Consultative Network (Logistics) , The Employees Retraining Board (ERB)
• Port Operations Committee, Transport & Logistics Bureau
• Air Cargo Security Working Group, Civil Aviation Department
• Occupational Safety & Health Council, and several of its sub-committees
• LSCM (expert panel)
• The Focus Group on Import/Export and Wholesale Trade Manpower Survey, Vocational Training Council
• Merchandise Trading & E-Commerce Training Board, Vocational Training Council
• Fashion and Textile Training Board, Vocational Training Council
• Census and Statistics Department
• Trade Single Window User Consultation Group
• The Logistics Development Council and its various sub-committees
• Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board and its various sub-committees (to May 2025)
2. Engagement in Trade, Industrial, and Professional Organisations and Institutes
The Council closely co-operates with other related organisations and institutes, and is represented on:
• The Shipping and Transport Committee, HKGCC
• The Logistics Service Advisory Committee, HKTDC
• The Garment Advisory Committee, HKTDC
• The Transport and Logistics Services Council, FHKI
• The Hong Kong Logistics Management Staff Association
• The Hong Kong-Taiwan Business Co-operation Committee
To advocate for the needs of local shippers, the Council actively collaborates with policymakers and governing bodies responsible for developing and enforcing legislation that influences Hong Kong’s logistics industry.
Additionally, the Council participates in several important government-led initiatives to ensure that the needs of Hong Kong shippers are properly addressed.
The Council has also participated in discussions on:
• Enhancing Hong Kong’s Status as an International Maritime Centre and International Aviation Hub
• Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Action Plan on Modern Logistics Development
• Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering
• Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Action Plan on Maritime and Port Development Strategy
• Digital Transformation for the Hong Kong Trading and Logistics Industry
• Port Community System
• Liberalisation of Cargo Fuel Surcharges
• 2024 Policy Address Consultation
• 2024/25 Budget Consultation
3. Protecting Shippers’ Interests and Protesting Unreasonable Shipping Lines’ Surcharges
In advocating for shippers’ interests, the focus of the Council’s work on freight rates is to ensure that shippers can negotiate freight charges with shipping companies in a fair and equitable manner within a competitive market environment.
To foster a genuinely competitive environment, several key factors must be established, including transparent pricing structures, efficient payment methods, and regularly evaluated service benchmarks.
Controversial issues such as carbon-related surcharges, documentation fees, peak season surcharges, currency fluctuations, port congestion fees, war risk premiums, and terminal handling charges frequently lead to disputes between shippers and service providers.
By collaborating with government entities and relevant organizations, the Council is positioned to oversee and mediate the establishment of fair pricing agreements with carriers and freight forwarders.
4. International Cooperation
By participating in various international shippers’ forums, the Council strengthens its capacity to advocate for its members’ needs.
Shippers’ Councils convene to discuss and compile shipping and logistics information that affects various regions. At the end of these meetings, participants draft and sign a joint statement outlining plans for the upcoming year at national, regional, and global levels. In recent years, through international conferences, shipper organizations have become more influential in the global industry.
5. Enhancing Hong Kong’s Logistics Industry and Cementing its Position as a Leading Logistics Hub
The Council supports the Hong Kong Government’s initiatives to enhance Hong Kong’s status as a leading logistics hub in Asia, thereby boosting its global competitiveness.
To achieve this goal, the Council actively participates in various international gatherings alongside the Hong Kong Government to advocate for the domestic logistics sector. Additionally, the Council frequently accepts invitations to present at both local and international events, promoting the interests of the local logistics industry.
6. Training Courses
Over the years, the Council has organized various customized training courses, seminars, and site visits to logistical facilities, ports and airports. These visits are tailored to shippers’ needs, providing them with firsthand industry insights and updates on the latest regional developments.
7. Promulgating News and Messages to Shippers and the Industry
In 2024, the Council revamped its website and introduced new communication channels, including a News Portal and an email blasting system, to enhance the swift delivery and strengthen connections with industry stakeholders. Additionally, we established social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
We kept our members informed about important updates through various communications, including Messages from the Council, Notices to Shippers, Training and Logistics News, Statistics, Circulars, Market Information, Air Cargo Fuel Surcharges, and a Freight Cost Portal for Major ASEAN Economies.
Throughout the year, the Council issued Shipping Alerts to help shippers in navigating challenges such as fluctuating freight charges and supply chain issues, providing recommendations and alternative shipping arrangements to help avoid delays.
The Hong Kong Shippers’ Council was founded with the intention of defending and enhancing the interests of both its members and the wider community of Hong Kong shippers. It gathers to address issues concerning the shipment of goods via sea, land, and air.
Guided by an Executive Committee consisting of representatives from 17 prominent trade associations in Hong Kong, the Council draws its diverse representation and membership from these industry bodies.
THE COUNCIL’S MISSION
At regional and local level, the focus of the Council is to:
• Ensure an open and competitive freight market environment
• Ensure that government policy and practices are geared towards the interests of shippers
• Ensure that proper infrastructure and facilities serve the present and future needs of shippers and logistics operators
• Ensure that carriers’ charges are reasonable, set with sufficient transparency and justification, and subject to proper governance
• Ensure that Hong Kong shippers’ voices are represented locally, regionally and internationally
The Council achieves these goals through the following actions:
1. Engagement in the Consultative Mechanism of the HKSAR Government
The Council upholds its central think-tank role, actively engaging with all consultative and advisory bodies. It has representation in several major logistics and transport-related government committees and advisory groups, including:
• Member, The 6th Election Committee of HKSAR
• Transport Sector, Election Committee of HKSAR
• Industrial (First), Election Committee of HKSAR
• Committee Member, Qualifications Framework Industry Training Advisory (Fashion)
• The Sea Cargo Liaison Group, Hong Kong Customs & Excise Department
• The Road Cargo Systems ROCARS, Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department
• The Logistics Industry Training Advisory Group, Education Bureau and its various sub-committees
• The Tripartite Meeting for Logistics Industry, Labour & Manpower Bureau
• The Industry Consultative Network (Logistics) , The Employees Retraining Board (ERB)
• Port Operations Committee, Transport & Logistics Bureau
• Air Cargo Security Working Group, Civil Aviation Department
• Occupational Safety & Health Council, and several of its sub-committees
• LSCM (expert panel)
• The Focus Group on Import/Export and Wholesale Trade Manpower Survey, Vocational Training Council
• Merchandise Trading & E-Commerce Training Board, Vocational Training Council
• Fashion and Textile Training Board, Vocational Training Council
• Census and Statistics Department
• Trade Single Window User Consultation Group
• The Logistics Development Council and its various sub-committees
• Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board and its various sub-committees (to May 2025)
2. Engagement in Trade, Industrial, and Professional Organisations and Institutes
The Council closely co-operates with other related organisations and institutes, and is represented on:
• The Shipping and Transport Committee, HKGCC
• The Logistics Service Advisory Committee, HKTDC
• The Garment Advisory Committee, HKTDC
• The Transport and Logistics Services Council, FHKI
• The Hong Kong Logistics Management Staff Association
• The Hong Kong-Taiwan Business Co-operation Committee
To advocate for the needs of local shippers, the Council actively collaborates with policymakers and governing bodies responsible for developing and enforcing legislation that influences Hong Kong’s logistics industry.
Additionally, the Council participates in several important government-led initiatives to ensure that the needs of Hong Kong shippers are properly addressed.
The Council has also participated in discussions on:
• Enhancing Hong Kong’s Status as an International Maritime Centre and International Aviation Hub
• Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Action Plan on Modern Logistics Development
• Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering
• Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Action Plan on Maritime and Port Development Strategy
• Digital Transformation for the Hong Kong Trading and Logistics Industry
• Port Community System
• Liberalisation of Cargo Fuel Surcharges
• 2024 Policy Address Consultation
• 2024/25 Budget Consultation
3. Protecting Shippers’ Interests and Protesting Unreasonable Shipping Lines’ Surcharges
In advocating for shippers’ interests, the focus of the Council’s work on freight rates is to ensure that shippers can negotiate freight charges with shipping companies in a fair and equitable manner within a competitive market environment.
To foster a genuinely competitive environment, several key factors must be established, including transparent pricing structures, efficient payment methods, and regularly evaluated service benchmarks.
Controversial issues such as carbon-related surcharges, documentation fees, peak season surcharges, currency fluctuations, port congestion fees, war risk premiums, and terminal handling charges frequently lead to disputes between shippers and service providers.
By collaborating with government entities and relevant organizations, the Council is positioned to oversee and mediate the establishment of fair pricing agreements with carriers and freight forwarders.
4. International Cooperation
By participating in various international shippers’ forums, the Council strengthens its capacity to advocate for its members’ needs.
Shippers’ Councils convene to discuss and compile shipping and logistics information that affects various regions. At the end of these meetings, participants draft and sign a joint statement outlining plans for the upcoming year at national, regional, and global levels. In recent years, through international conferences, shipper organizations have become more influential in the global industry.
5. Enhancing Hong Kong’s Logistics Industry and Cementing its Position as a Leading Logistics Hub
The Council supports the Hong Kong Government’s initiatives to enhance Hong Kong’s status as a leading logistics hub in Asia, thereby boosting its global competitiveness.
To achieve this goal, the Council actively participates in various international gatherings alongside the Hong Kong Government to advocate for the domestic logistics sector. Additionally, the Council frequently accepts invitations to present at both local and international events, promoting the interests of the local logistics industry.
6. Training Courses
Over the years, the Council has organized various customized training courses, seminars, and site visits to logistical facilities, ports and airports. These visits are tailored to shippers’ needs, providing them with firsthand industry insights and updates on the latest regional developments.
7. Promulgating News and Messages to Shippers and the Industry
In 2024, the Council revamped its website and introduced new communication channels, including a News Portal and an email blasting system, to enhance the swift delivery and strengthen connections with industry stakeholders. Additionally, we established social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
We kept our members informed about important updates through various communications, including Messages from the Council, Notices to Shippers, Training and Logistics News, Statistics, Circulars, Market Information, Air Cargo Fuel Surcharges, and a Freight Cost Portal for Major ASEAN Economies.
Throughout the year, the Council issued Shipping Alerts to help shippers in navigating challenges such as fluctuating freight charges and supply chain issues, providing recommendations and alternative shipping arrangements to help avoid delays.