Hong Kong Maritime Board Holds First Meeting to Strategize as International Maritime Centre

Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board convenes first meeting

The following is issued on behalf of theHong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board:

The Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board (HKMPDB) held its first meeting today (July 29). Members were briefed on experts' analysis of the latest developments in Hong Kong's port and maritime industry and discussed the strategy for positioning Hong Kong as an international maritime centre under the current geopolitical situation. With the target of developing Hong Kong into a "global maritime capital", the HKMPDB worked to formulate a more outgoing and comprehensive Mainland and overseas promotional plan, and identify key research areas for relevant committees to commence studies in the near term.

The Chairman of the HKMPDB, Dr Moses Cheng said, "At today's meeting, members responded to the Government's call for adopting an innovative spirit and global perspective in exploring directions for consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international maritime centre, and setting out the key priorities for promotion and research. The HKMPDB will adopt a high-level and broad vision, complemented by actions as its core, to lead the four committees in taking forward various tasks with a view to bringing new vitality to the industry's development."

During the meeting, members of the HKMPDB were briefed by the Shipping Research Centre of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University on the current situation, strengths, challenges, and opportunities of key segments within the Hong Kong international maritime centre (including port, high value-added maritime services, and the Hong Kong Shipping Registry). Members agreed that in the light of rising protectionism and complex geopolitics, Hong Kong should strive to develop the port industry and high value-added maritime services as its dual pillars, and establish itself as a safe harbour for international shipping enterprises in decision-making, transactions, innovation, financing, risk management, and dispute resolution.

As regards the strategies for Mainland and overseas promotional work, the HKMPDB will adopt a more proactive and comprehensive approach. In addition to regular visits to key maritime regions, new arrangements will be introduced to support members to go global to participate in prominent Mainland and overseas events by delivering speeches and telling good Hong Kong maritime stories. Other key initiatives include deepening engagement and collaboration with influential international organisations, and continuing to attract international maritime organisations to hold conferences in Hong Kong. The meeting also identified priority research areas for the four committees which suitably echoed with the Government's policy priorities.

Lastly, members noted that the Transport and Logistics Bureau, in collaboration with three maritime arbitration institutions in Hong Kong, has been producing a promotional leaflet that clearly and practically explains the procedural steps to be taken by shipowners, charterers, or cargo owners before signing contracts for vessel chartering in choosing Hong Kong as the arbitration venue for maritime disputes. The leaflet will be distributed to relevant shipping enterprises and stakeholders in August and will also be uploaded to the HKMPDB website.

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics and member of the HKMPDB, Ms Mable Chan, said, "The Country supports Hong Kong's strategic positioning as an international maritime centre. Driving forward the enhancement of quantity and quality of the Hong Kong Port; identifying new growth points for high value-added maritime services; deepening international engagement to elevate Hong Kong's global influence; and establishing a talent pool in light of industry trends such as green transformation, are currently pivotal issues for Hong Kong's maritime industry. The HKMPDB is charting its future work along these directions and has put forward various constructive suggestions. The Government will continue to collaborate with the industry in advancing high quality development of the industry together."

The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that the HKMPDB will be established as a high-level advisory body to assist the Government in formulating policies for advancing the development of Hong Kong's maritime industry. The Government announced the membership of the HKMPDB and its four committees (namely the Port Development Committee, the Maritime Services Development Committee, the Promotion and External Relations Committee, and the Manpower Development Committee) in June this year. The HKMPDB successfully held its first meeting today, and the respective committees will convene their meetings over the next two months.

Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board convenes first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases