As the global shipping and logistics ecosystem undergoes rapid transformation, competitiveness is increasingly driven not by physical scale alone, but by the ability to deliver high‑value, technology‑enabled maritime and logistics services. Prof. Mike Lai Kee-hung, Associate Dean (Academic Support) of the Faculty of Business, Chair Professor of Shipping and Logistics, and Interim Head of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), authored an article sharing insights on Hong Kong’s role and opportunities amid the reshaping global trade and logistics landscape, stressing that Hong Kong must further strengthen its position as an international shipping centre through high-value maritime and logistics services.
In the article, Prof. Lai underscored that future growth lies in the integration of smart logistics, green shipping, digitalisation and value‑added professional services to move up the value chain. As an international shipping and logistics centre, Hong Kong should leverage its strengths in finance, law, insurance and arbitration, while further enhancing research support and innovation applications to deepen industry-academia-research collaboration and seize new opportunities arising from the transformation of the shipping ecosystem.
PolyU’s research strengths in sustainable logistics, smart ports and shipping digitalisation provide critical knowledge support for Hong Kong’s transformation. The research project titled “Policy Recommendations on Uplifting Hong Kong’s Status as an International Shipping Centre through Development Opportunities in the Greater Bay Area”, led by Prof. Lai received support through the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2024/25 from the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government. The project examines development opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and provides key knowledge support for Hong Kong’s maritime and logistics transformation.
Further reinforcing his contributions to policy and industry development, Prof. Lai has recently been appointed as a Member of the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council, where he will contribute his academic expertise to advising on strategies to advance Hong Kong’s logistics and shipping ecosystem. The appointment reflects strong recognition of Prof. Lai’s longstanding research impact, policy engagement and leadership in shipping and logistics, as well as PolyU’s role in supporting Hong Kong’s development as an international logistics and innovation hub.
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PolyU scholars propose policy recommendations to advance shipping ecosystem in Hong Kong with support from Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme
