(Abstract)
Hong Kong is a vibrant city off the coast of China, known for its towering skylines and unique blend of Chinese and Western culture. With various trading routes to Mainland China and Asia-Pacific, Hong Kong plays a big role in the modern shipping industry. In 2024, it was estimated that Hong Kong handled 13.7 million TEU’s, with the government managing over a thousand different vessels. But how can such a small region – only spanning 430 square miles– play such a significant role in global consumption?
Hong Kong’s sheltered natural harbor also offers ships protection from dangerous waves and winds, making it safer to travel further distances and hold more cargo. As a special administrative region, Hong Kong also does not pay taxes or tariffs on imported or exported goods, allowing for reduced costs and increased consumer demands. Similarly, Hong Kong’s liberal policies on free trade and economics encourage businesses to exchange goods and services through Hong Kong, where they can enjoy access to the Chinese mainland and other international markets. They also utilize technological innovations to strengthen their ports. For example, CT9 in Tsing Yi uses remote-controlled rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGCs) and an automated container stacking system to load and unload cargo, allowing for workers to operate indoors. With a 20% increase in productivity, these technological services increase safety and can adapt to possible labor shortages. However, the success of Hong Kong’s trading does not come without a cost – pollution.
Ships release large amounts of dangerous chemicals from emissions, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that pollute the air and significantly increase risks for respiratory diseases. In the water, contaminants cause ocean acidity that causes harmful algae blooms and destroys marine ecosystems from the bottom-up. Ship activity has also been shown to have negative impacts on aquatic mating and reproductive fitness.
To ensure ethical practices, Hong Kong’s port authorities monitor vessels in constant communication with marine departments, facilitating traffic management and responding to alerts, including pollution control vessels that operate 24 hours to identify and clean up oil spills. Specifically, the marine departments would inspect vessels entering Hong Kong to ensure they comply with all International Maritime Conventions. Hong Kong’s government has also made significant efforts to combat pollution in shipping. In 2015, Hong Kong became the first city in Asia to regulate sulfur dioxide in shipping emissions, leading to reductions of SO2 at shipping ports by up to 50%. In addition, The Hong Kong International Convention for Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC) is set to be enforced in June of 2025, with the purpose of improving ship recycling practices through prohibiting the use of hazardous materials in ships and ports.
“But while Hong Kong has had measures to preserve marine biodiversity, the planning and management of MPA’s is something Hong Kong needs to improve”, says Dr Lawrence McCook, Head of Oceans Conversation at WWF Hong Kong. MPA’s are moderately protected marine parks, and Hong Kong has 9 MPA’s that compromise around 5% of their waters. Dr McCook, however, recommends a target of 30% of Hong Kong’s water to be designated as MPAs by 2030, noting that other human activities such as overfishing and coastal development pose threats to Hong Kong’s marine ecosystem.
References:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/paid-content-how-hong-kong-protects-its-sea-sanctuaries
https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_lea/the_facts_mar.html
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653519306198
https://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/materials-and-publications/publications/hk-fact-sheet/index.html
https://www.hit.com.hk/en/Media-Centre/Press-Release/Hit-T9n-Launches-Remote-Controlled-Operations.html
https://www.blankrome.com/publications/summary-impact-hong-kong-international-convention-safe-and-environmentally-sound