Hong Kong Maritime Week marks 10th anniversary milestone: Trusted Resilience Powering Global Maritime Trade
Hong Kong Maritime Week (HKMW) 2026, a flagship annual maritime event anticipated worldwide, will be held for seven consecutive days from Sunday (November 15) to November 21, expected to attract over 18 000 policymakers, leaders of major international shipping organisations, business decision-makers, experts and industry elites from around the globe, including high-ranking government officials from Belt and Road countries. Through a series of exciting online and offline events, participants will explore the latest development opportunities in the global maritime industry and promote Hong Kong's advantages as a preferred destination for maritime business. The Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) will also announce several important maritime-related deliverables.
A spokesperson for the TLB said, "The National 15th Five-Year Plan Outline indicates clear support for Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its dual-hub status as an international maritime centre and an international aviation hub. Announced by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in September this year, Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan proactively aligns with the strategic direction of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, setting out the HKSAR Government's targets in areas such as maritime and aviation over the next five years. First held in 2016, HKMW has evolved over the years into a premier international event for the maritime, port and logistics sectors. We will announce the new batch of partner ports, and will sign a number of maritime-related memoranda of understanding at this significant 10th-anniversary milestone."
This year's HKMW is co-ordinated by the HKSAR Government, organised by the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board (HKMPDB), and co-organised by the Hong Kong Shipowners Association and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum (HKMM), with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Invest Hong Kong as partners. Featuring a rich and diverse programme, over 60 events are jointly hosted by more than 80 local, Chinese Mainland and overseas maritime organisations, covering flagship forums, high-level seminars, industry exhibitions and business networking. Key highlights during the period include: the Opening Ceremony of HKMW 2026 and World Maritime Merchants Forum to be held next Monday (November 16), the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference 2026 to be held next Monday to Tuesday (November 16 to 17), and the 2nd HKMPDB Flagship Summit to be held next Tuesday (November 17). Other signature events include the 3rd International Chamber of Shipping Hong Kong Global Maritime Trade Summit, and the International Bunker Industry Association Hong Kong Forum on Alternative Marine Fuels. Furthermore, the Baltic and International Maritime Council will participate in HKMW for the first time, collaborating with the International Organization for Mediation to host a thematic seminar on contractual developments for green shipping.
To heighten public awareness of Hong Kong's thriving maritime development, the TLB has partnered with Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) to produce a 10-episode promotional drama series titled "Navigating to the Future". The series will be broadcast from November 16 to 27, every Monday to Friday, across three TVB channels (including Channels 81, 82 and 83). Through dramatic elements, the series vividly introduces the realities of maritime careers as well as industry innovations and dynamics, showcasing the Government's efforts to enhance the long-term competitiveness of Hong Kong's maritime industry through policy initiatives and collaboration with the trade.
A rich array of community and youth engagement programmes will also be rolled out, headlined by the "Project Art Container" exhibition organised by the HKMPDB in partnership with the HKMM and supported by Orient Overseas Container Line Limited and Modern Terminals Limited, offering fresh perspectives on how the industry is connected with the city's development and everyday life. Winning artworks from the "One Container One Story" drawing competition under the theme "Hong Kong Sailing to the World" have been turned into 20-foot art container installations, which will be showcased at the HKMM Jockey Club Anchor Plaza between November 15 and 25 before setting sail across international shipping routes. To highlight the festivities, a maritime-themed carnival will take place on November 21 and 22. Together with other youth and family-friendly activities, HKMW 2026 brings the vibrancy of the maritime sector holistically to the wider community.
For the event schedule, public activity programme details and online registration for HKMW, please visit the HKMW website (www.hkmw.hk) and the HKMPDB website (www.hkmpdb.gov.hk).
Source: AI-found images
CHP investigates imported Mpox case
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (November 13) that it is investigating an imported Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and strongly urged high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccinations. Meanwhile, the public is advised to be vigilant and avoid close physical contact with individuals suspected of contracting Mpox.
Case details
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The case involves a 34-year-old man who developed a fever, fatigue and rash on his arms on November 9. The rash subsequently spread to various parts of his body, including his genital area, abdomen and chest. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital for medical consultation on November 11 and was admitted for isolation treatment. He is currently in stable condition. Upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, his clinical specimen tested positive for the Monkeypox virus.
According to information provided by the patient, he had high-risk sexual contact with other men outside Hong Kong during the incubation period. The CHP is continuing an epidemiological investigation of the case, and will report the case to the World Health Organization.
Latest situation of Mpox cases
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Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded 120 Mpox cases (94 local cases and 26 imported cases). All patients are male. Epidemiological investigations revealed that among the 27 cases recorded since August, all patients reported having engaged in high-risk sexual activities during the incubation period, including having sex with male strangers or multiple partners, and having sex without a condom. Most of them have not received Mpox vaccination.
Among the local cases recorded since August, patients commonly used specific dating apps to find casual male sexual partners. After testing positive, some patients were unable to contact their newly met sexual partners, which hindered the CHP's ability to conduct effective contact tracing and implement corresponding prevention and control measures. In view of this, the CHP has increased its outreach on social media platforms to promote Mpox prevention and vaccination, and has collaborated with the operators of relevant dating apps to regularly push information about Mpox prevention and vaccination to all users in Hong Kong.
The CHP urges individuals who have engaged in high-risk sexual contact, particularly with male strangers, to remain vigilant and take appropriate personal protective measures, including receiving the Mpox vaccination and avoiding high-risk sexual contact, so as to lower the risk of infection. Members of the public should retain their sexual partners' contact information to facilitate contact tracing when necessary.
Strengthening prevention
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The Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. Since late September, the CHP has set up an additional Mpox vaccination centre at the CHP Building, in addition to regular vaccination venues established by the Government. The CHP has also collaborated with relevant non-governmental organisations to provide outreach vaccination services, providing convenience and incentives to encourage individuals with high-risk contacts to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Since September 28, over 1 000 high-risk individuals have received the Mpox vaccine at the regular and additional vaccination venues.
Vaccination provides a highly effective protective barrier. Studies show that receiving two doses of the Mpox vaccine reduces the risk of infection by 82 per cent, which significantly lowers the risk of transmission to sexual partners, and protects both the vaccinated individual and others. Local data also show that vaccinated patients are 87 per cent less likely to experience viral spread to other parts of the body.
The CHP's Mpox hotline (2125 2373) will continue to provide health assessments and advice to high-risk individuals. The hotline will arrange for individuals in need to get vaccinated at the CHP. The hotline operates daily from 9am to 6pm.
More information on Mpox
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Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. The CHP reminds the public, especially those at higher risk of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of being infected. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches. They should not engage in activities with others that may involve contact with skin rash or body fluids.
The DH has been providing Mpox vaccination services for high-risk groups, including individuals with high-risk sexual practices (such as having multiple sexual partners), sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months.
For more details, please visit the CHP's webpages on Mpox and the Mpox Vaccination Programme.
Source: AI-found images
