The memorandum of cooperation was duly signed in the presence of over 50 guests and government officials, under the witness of Mr. Liu Ning, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Guangxi Regional Committee, Ms. Amy Chan, the Commissioner for Maritime and Port Development of the Transport and Logistics Bureau and Mr. Ivor Chow, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Port Holdings Trust.
Mr. Chow said, “HPH Trust is committed to collaborating with leading industry stakeholders to explore development opportunities for its port and logistics-related businesses. We are delighted to cooperate with Beibu Gulf Port Group as we
capitalise on the unique strengths of both ports to enhance our overall competitiveness, thereby reinforcing the development of Hong Kong as an international transshipment hub.”
For details, please visit here.
Photo Caption: Ivor Chow, Chief Executive Officer of HPH Trust and Managing Director of Hongkong International Terminals, in a group photo with the participants.
Working with 3HK, five 5G base stations have been set up within HPH Trust Hong Kong terminals for running three pilot projects. These projects are expected to result in reduced operating costs, improved accuracy, safety performance and operational efficiency, and were kickstarted with the funding from the “Subsidy Scheme of Encouraging Early Deployment of 5G” by the Office of the Communications Authority.
For details, please click here.
Photo captions:
Top: Jimmy Ng (twelfth from right), Chief Financial Officer of Hutchison Port Holdings Trust, receives the Ampower Talent Institute delegation
Bottom: Operations management trainees at HIT share their working experiences with the younger generation
Photo Caption: Lam Sai Hung, Secretary for Transport & Logistics (centre), was greeted by Jessie Chung (third from right), Chairman of Hong Kong Container Terminal Operators Association, Ivor Chow (second from right), Managing Director of Hongkong International Terminals, Xiaoli Ma (second from left), Managing Director of COSCO-HIT, Hanliang Zhu (first from right), Managing Director of Asia Container Terminals, Horace Lo (third from left), Group Managing Director of Modern Terminals and Timothy Ngan (first from left), Managing Director of Goodman DP World.
* Go Green is part of a global environmental initiative undertaken by Hutchison Ports in partnership with members of the maritime community and local stakeholders such as government departments, NGOs and schools.
Photo Caption: Ivor Chow, Chief Executive Officer of HPH Trust and Managing Director of Hongkong International Terminals, in a group photo with all the participants.
Symbolising joy, fortune, prosperity and with its round shape signifying the reunion of family members and friends, Chilean cherry is one of the most popular Chinese New Year gift ideas.
In addition to the challenges brought by COVID-19 pandemic and market dynamics, HIT also gave insightful ideas on the importance of building resilience through digitalisation and collaboration among all stakeholders for sustainable growth. Government officials, academia representatives, business leaders and industry experts from different industries attended the summit.
As the container terminals handle vessels from all over the world and with the recent mutated COVID-19 cases spreading in the local community, the Secretary noted that the general public is worried. “As an international maritime centre, Hong Kong has to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted global logistics chain. At the same time, as 90% of goods supplied to Hong Kong are transported by sea, ensuring normal operations at the container terminals to facilitate a stable supply chain is very important. To achieve this, aside from running regular COVID-19 tests for the terminal front-line workers and implementing stringent precautionary measures, we encourage all terminal staff to get vaccinated to protect against the spread of COVID-19. Vaccination is the most effective way to resume society to normal. The vaccine protects us, our families and friends. Get vaccinated!” He said.
Photo Caption: Frank Chan (second from right), Secretary for Transport and Housing, Eric Ip (second from left), Group Managing Director of Hutchison Ports, Leonard Fung (right), Managing Director of HIT and Lawrence Shum (left), Managing Director of COSCO-HIT.
The Remote Reefer Container Monitoring System deployed at HIT, COSCO-HIT and ACT offers the biggest coverage of its kind in the Greater Bay Area. Research shows that the global cold chain market size is valued at USD 233.8 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 340.3 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 7.8%. The system is a demonstration of HIT’s focuses on technological innovation, operational excellence and facilities improvement. For more details, please click here.
In addition to the opportunities and challenges brought by shifting trade flows, cross-border e-commerce and digitalisation, HIT also gave an update on the Hong Kong Seaport Alliance including its operating model, value proposition and strategies. 70 participants from different industries attended the webinar. Please click here for the video presentation and here for the presentation materials.
Our expedited cargo release, plus the simple, convenient and fast customs procedures at the Port of Hong Kong, enable the shipment which arrived at Hong Kong in the morning to be transported via road traffic to reach the Guangzhou’s Jiangnan Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market in the early afternoon on the same day.
With HKSPA providing more than 7,800 reefer points - the highest in South China, and the highest frequency of shipping services from the South American cities of Valparaiso and San Antonio - with the fastest transit time of 22 days, it continues to embrace opportunities in the growing fruit market.
HKSPA organised a webinar titled “Tapping into the fast growing fruit markets” on 5 November. Speakers from key industry players highlighted the competitive advantages of the Port of Hong Kong as a reliable and agile cold chain products gateway to China. Over 100 participants from the industry attended the webinar. Please click here for the video presentation and here for the presentation materials.
The maiden call of HMM GDANSK in Hong Kong has marked a new chapter in Hong Kong’s maritime history. Mr. Leonard Fung, Managing Director of HIT, said, “We are excited to welcome the world’s biggest vessel on its maiden call at such challenging times. This is a momentous event for Hong Kong’s maritime industry and HIT, and a testament to Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime centre.”
Remote operations are safe and reliable. Each crane is equipped with 58 monitoring cameras and sensors, which can assist the crane operator to handle the loading and unloading of containers from multiple angles and ensure full precision. In addition, the engineering team carries out detailed inspection for each remote RTGC once every four weeks. With the implementation of a remote monitoring system, the engineers are also able to identify and fix the faults timely to ensure the safe operations of remote-controlled cranes.
On 6 September at the 4th Cool Logistics Asia, Mr Gerry Yim, Managing Director of HIT, addressed attendees with an overview of how the company aims to provide innovative value-added services to facilitate the future development of cold logistics.
HIT’s Managing Director, Mr Gerry Yim, pointed out that the remote crane operations can bring four benefits, namely:
1. Improved working environment for crane operators
2. Increased industrial safety
3. Higher operational efficiency and productivity
4. Cleaner terminal environment by reducing carbon emissions
The officiating guest, Ms Angela Lee, Deputy Secretary for Transport and Housing, said at the launching ceremony that HIT’s brand-new remote operation system not only raises the terminal’s operational efficiency, but it also strengthens the competitiveness of Hong Kong Port.
The event received support from Kwai Tsing District Council and The Warehouse Teenage Club for co-organising the event; and CMA CGM (Hong Kong) Limited and T. S. Lines Ltd. for sponsoring the containers, which gave the participants an unforgettable graffiti art experience.
Celebrating the call of MOL TRIUMPH with representatives from Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Ltd (MOL) and Transport and Housing Bureau, HIT's Managing Director, Mr Gerry Yim, said, "The world’s largest container vessel called at HIT on her maiden voyage signifies Hong Kong’s prominence in the global maritime industry and reflects MOL’s confidence in HIT's capabilities and efficiency.
“Hong Kong has completed the dredging of its channel to 17 metres to better accommodate mega vessels. HIT is therefore well positioned to meet the emerging needs of the cargo market with its capability to serve 3 mega vessels simultaneously at our facilities.” Mr Yim added.
External contractors also announced a 3% increase in basic salary for the coming year, a level that is above the inflation rate of 2.3% for 2016. So far, 99% of their workers have given written consent to the pay rise.
HIT together with around 30 elderly from South Kawi Chung Social Service and teen volunteers painted a wall at Yeung King House of Lai King Estate, adding a colourful look to Lai King Estate. Held on 12 November, this graffiti project was jointly organised by HIT, Housing Department Lai King Estate Office and South Kawi Chung Social Service which not only beautifies the environment of Lai King Estate but also helps promote inter-generational harmony in the local community. Participated volunteers also included teenagers from HKSYC & IA Chan Nam Chong Memorial College and ChickenSoup Foundation.
HIT recently organised a Clean Terminal Campaign which included a series of activities such as slogan competition, keep clean competition for external contractor offices, plastic bottles and aluminium cans recycling, and onsite inspection. The Campaign is well received by both staff members and external contractor workers. Around 360kg of waste was reduced and over 4,000 plastic bottles and aluminium cans were recycled in October. Besides, HIT organised a charity sales of second-hand goods donated by staff members for promoting the awareness of recycling on 11 November and the proceeds collected will be donated to Yan Chai Hospital.
Around 1,200 staff attended 3 town hall talks held between Hongkong International Terminals Limited (HIT) management and staff members today (1 August). At the meetings, Mr. Gerry Yim shared the company’s business strategy and challenges in 2016 as well as green, safety and health initiatives. Mr. Yim also highlighted that notable safety improvements were recorded in the first half of 2016, with a drop of 10% and 20% in accident rate and injury rate respectively. Accidents involved stevedoring also recorded a significant decline of 70%.
Hongkong International Terminals Limited (HIT)’s Engineering Apprentice, Tang Siu Hin, has been selected as one of the 10 awardees of Most Improved Trainees under the Youth Employment and Training Programme (YETP) 2016 organised by the Labour Department. The award is to recognise YETP trainees’ significant improvements in personal growth, leadership skills or working performance. Tang Siu Hin joined HIT in May 2014 and is undergoing a 4-year Apprenticeship Scheme, in which both theoretical and practical training as well as rotation opportunities in different sections are provided for developing his all-round and professional technical skills. HIT is keen to nurture future talents for the port industry by offering students various training and placement opportunities.
Mr. Gerry Yim, HIT’s Managing Director, said: "We will continue to dedicate resources to equipment upgrades to further strengthen our regional competitiveness. At the same time we will work with stakeholders in expanding our network coverage in the Pearl River Delta so as to strengthen our status as a key port of call for barges and shipping lines.”
To enhance cooperation with stakeholders, HIT announced in the luncheon meeting with barge operators, which was held on 29 April, that it will continue to work closely with Guangdong Hong Kong Feeder Association on the shuttle service and will offer priority berthing services to barge operators. Meanwhile, Asia Port Services Limited, a sister company of HIT, will provide ancillary services to facilitate the provision of a one-stop shop service for barge operators in Hong Kong.
Mr Donald Tong, JP, Commissioner for Labour, Ms Bonnie Yau, Executive Director of OSHC and over 120 guests kicked off the Campaign on 16 Dec. The Campaign reaches out to the container terminals’ work force, Kwai Tsing community and the public through a series of activities in the coming months.
HPH Trust CEO Mr. Gerry Yim expressed at the cocktail, “Facing the recent challenges, our strategy is “Be Prepared”. Our company will not diminish its development; on the contrary, we have committed a HK$1.8 billion equipment investment plan to enhance our operational standards. We will continue to launch various activities to strengthen communications with staff and external contractor workers, promote workplace safety and increase the sense of belonging among staff.”
External contractors announced a 5.5% increase in basic salary for their workers in the coming year, above the 2014 inflation rate of 4.4%. 95% of their workers have given written consent to the pay rise.
The level of incentive pay for 2% of workers did not reach the 4.1% level last month because they were unable to work on their normal shifts due to annual leave and other reasons. For a very small number of workers (less than 1%) their incentive pay was below 4.1% as a result of a drop in productivity. HIT, together with its external contractors, will provide additional training to those workers enabling them to also share the fruits of success.
The 6% basic salary increase and incentive pay for the month of May will be paid to workers in the June payroll through the external contractors.
The incentive programme is a new initiative and HIT will continue to hold discussions with external contractors and their workers on making improvements to the incentive programme.
Please click here to view the full version of the English translation of the statement for reference.
In response to suggestions expressed by external contractor workers on better meal arrangements in the company’s recent survey, HIT has decided to open the staff canteen to non-HIT staff (including external contractor workers and visitors), with the exception of two busy time slots (0730 – 0830 in the morning and 1245 – 1315 in the afternoon during Monday to Friday). The HIT staff canteen opens 21-hours daily (closed between 0300am – 0600am), and offers Chinese and Western cuisine, and fast food.
Furthermore, HIT organised five briefing sessions yesterday (16 Apr) to external contractor workers to explain the incentive programme in a clear and transparent manner. The company will organise additional briefing sessions as needed. In order to increase the transparency of the incentive programme, HIT has asked the contractors to explain the implementation details to their workers, including the scope of the incentive income and the percentage of workers receiving the incentive income. The first result will be announced in June.
HIT has put into operation two new barge cranes, the first of their kind in southern China, as part of an ongoing effort to enhance productivity and increase competitiveness. The new barge cranes have greater handling stability when compared with traditional jib cranes, this will help enhance Hong Kong’s capability in handling barges from the Pearl River Delta.
Caption: Two barge quay cranes are simultaneously handling a barge in order to speed up the turnaround time.
HIT will commence discussions with external contractors concerning their service contracts over the next two months. It will listen to the workers’ views, as well as taking into consideration of a number of factors including inflation, state of business and economic environment. HIT will also introduce in the second quarter an incentive programme that is linked to occupational safety and productivity. The programme will be extended to external contractor workers after a pilot period. The aim is to reward safe and productive operation, and to share the results with workers. HIT also promised that the extent of the pay increase would be at least matching the rate of inflation over the past twelve months. It is expected the overall income, including the incentive reward, will have a material increase. External contractors will announce details of pay increase sometime in May after their discussions with the workers. The maritime industry is of the view that provision of a stable and reliable service will enable Hong Kong to cope with increasing competition from container terminals in southern China and benefit Hong Kong logistics industry’s sustainable development.
2013 was a volatile year for the container port industry in Hong Kong and Hongkong International Terminals Limited (HIT) was also impacted; nonetheless, staff received general salary increments in line with inflation. Senior management, however, had their salaries frozen for the second year and bonuses were reduced in line with the fall in throughput. The port of Hong Kong will continue to face challenges in 2014 as major shipping lines adjust their alliance arrangements and phase in new mega-vessels.
Caption: Remote control workstations inside an office
Caption: Franco Ning, (second from right) Assistant General Manager – Operations, and Jeannie Chiu, (first from right) Public Relations Manager, and HIT staff at the carnival.
Caption: John Meredith accompanies the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP to sign the guest book.
HIT will also be participating in another job fair on 29-30 October to be held at Olympic City. Interested parties may visit our booth or visit https://hr-ermscareer.hph.com/employeeconnect.asp?activelink=HIT for more information.
After nearly 15 hours, Signal 8 was lowered at 0920 hours on 23 September. Within an hour after the gate was opened, HIT had handled all the trucks waiting at the Container Port Road South to enter the terminals. Within three hours HIT had handled nearly 2,000 trucks, bringing the nearby traffic and terminal operations back to normal in a short period of time. The average turnaround time for trucks since the typhoon signal was lowered has been maintained within an hour.
When Signal 8 was lowered unlashing work started immediately so that normal operations for collection and delivery of containers could resume. Within three hours HIT had handled the 1,300 trucks waiting at the Container Port Road South to enter the terminals. Within six hours HIT had handled 2,300 trucks and operations were back to normal. The average turnaround time for trucks since the typhoon signal was lowered has been maintained at 50 minutes.