The Hong Kong Shipowners Association consecutively hosted the 27th Asian Shipowners’ Association AGM and the International Chamber of Shipping AGM 2018 in Hong Kong, together with its year-long 60th Anniversary celebration. TCC Steamship was the Principal Sponsor of the week-long events.

With the odds of all these three events being conducted concurrently probably only once in every 2880 years, this was truly an occurrence of astronomical proportions.

The events saw enthusiastic participation and received positive feedback.

The events were kicked off with the Welcome Reception for the 27th ASA, held on 14 May, at the Harbour Room of Kerry Hotel, where, Ms Maisie Cheng JP, Director of Marine of the Hong Kong Marine Department, gave the welcome address.

This was followed by a toast by the President of the ASA and Chairman of the HKSOA, Mr. Jack Hsu.

Mr. Hsu, was joined by Ms. Maisie Cheng JP, Mr. Bhumindr Harinsuit – President Designate of the ASA, Captain Ang Chin Eng – Secretary General of the ASA, Captain Bjorn Hojgaard – Deputy Chairman of the HKSOA and Ms Sandy Chan – Managing Director of the HKSOA.

The guests also included members of the ICS who were attending the ICS AGM later in the week.

Mr Bhumindr Hairnsuit of FASA Thailand took over from Mr Jack Hsu of HKSOA as the ASA President on 15 May 2018 at the ASA AGM, which was followed by the Asia Shipping Forum which was generously sponsored by ICBC Financial Leasing Co Ltd. and the Fairmont & Magsaysay Group.

The ASA Luncheon was generously sponsored by the Dalian Maritime University Hong Kong and Macau Association, Shanghai Maritime University Hong Kong Alumni Association and Shanghai Seamaster Shipbroking Company Ltd.

After a highly intense and productive AGM, delegates and guests could now unwind again at the ASA Gala Dinner, at the Grand Ballroom of the Kerry Hotel.

The event started with a welcome note by Mr. Joseph Lai, JP, Permanent Secretary for Transport, followed by presentation of souvenirs to the Principal Sponsor of the events – TCC Steamship and the Dinner Sponsor – Chinese Maritime Transport.

This was followed by a breathtaking performance by various martial arts practitioners, performing various traditional Asian Martial Arts, organized, choreographed and led by Mr. Hing Chao, Director of the Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings Limited.

The next day started with various outdoor activities like the Association’s 60th Anniversary Golf Tournament, ‘Hike Lantau’ and ‘Play Lantau’. The golf tournament was generously sponsored by Arrow Asia Shipbrokers Ltd., and Oak Maritime (HK).

The ICS Welcome Reception was held the same evening, at the Harbour Room of Kerry Hotel, where, Mr Benjamin Wong of InvestHK, gave the welcome address and an informative presentation highlighting the advantages of Hong Kong and how it was truly Asia’s Maritime Centre. The reception was generously sponsored by InvestHK.

The ICS Luncheon was generously sponsored by the Dalian Maritime University Hong Kong and Macau Association, Shanghai Maritime University Hong Kong Alumni Association and Shanghai Seamaster Shipbroking Company Ltd.

The ICS Gala Dinner was held on 17 May 2018, at the iconic ‘Jumbo Kingdom’ floating restaurant, where guests and delegates indulged in Chinese Brush Painting & Calligraphy, Silhouette Cutting, Chinese Knotting and Emperor and Empress photo-taking session. The dinner was generously sponsored by the Fairmont & Magsaysay Group, with Dr. Raymond So, JP, Undersecretary for Transport and Housing as the Guest of Honour.

After the conclusion of the AGM on 18 May 2018, guests and delegates enjoyed a trip to the Chi Lin Nunnery, where, along with the guided tour of the nunnery, they partook in some traditional Chinese tea.

All in all, this was a pleasantly eventful and action-packed week, where the who’s who of global shipping worked hard and partied even harder in Asia’s World City!