Hutchison Port Holdings Trust (HPH Trust) and Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group Company Limited (Beibu Gulf Port Group) have signed a memorandum of cooperation to promote trade exchanges between Guangxi and Hong Kong.
The partnership aims to boost economic growth in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Beibu Gulf economic zone by strengthening trade ties between Guangxi and Hong Kong, focusing on multimodal transportation collaboration.
It will utilise Beibu Gulf Port as a key link between the northwest region and the Greater Bay Area, establishing a route connecting Asia with North America, Europe, and other regions, known as the “Western-Beibu Gulf-Hong Kong/Yantian-Destination route.”
By facilitating transshipment traffic between Beibu Gulf Port and Hong Kong, the partnership aims to streamline the logistics hub of “Guangxi-Kwai Tsing-Yantian”, while increasing cargo volume at Hong Kong Port and speeding up import/export movements to reduce shipping time from the northwest to major Asian regions to four to seven days.
The Commissioner for Maritime and Port Development of the Transport and Logistics Bureau, Amy Chan, said: “Hong Kong is an important hub port in the region providing excellent port and maritime services.
“As announced in the Action Plan on Maritime and Port Development in December 2023, we aim to enhance the overall competitiveness of the Hong Kong Port and the Greater Bay Area port cluster.
“We are pleased to witness the signing of the memorandum of cooperation between Hutchison Port Holdings Trust and Beibu Gulf Group which facilitates multi-modal transportation between Guangxi and Hong Kong and leverages the international connectivity and efficient services of the Hong Kong Port, contributing to our efforts in consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime centre.”
Ivor Chow, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Port Holdings Trust, 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.”
Last summer, Westwell signed an agreement with Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe for an additional 100 battery-powered autonomous Q-Trucks – spearheading seaport smart and green operations with autonomous driving and electric trucks.