The policy objective is to develop Hong Kong into a sustainable international smart logistics hub
Hong Kong’s world-class aviation and maritime infrastructure, strategic location in the heart of Asia, proximity to the manufacturing bases in the Mainland, and excellent connectivity with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Mainland and the world have enabled it to become an international logistics hub.
The Central Government’s designation of Hong Kong as an international aviation hub and international maritime centre in the ‘14th Five-Year Plan’ and the ‘Outline Development Plan for Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’ also underlines the strengths of Hong Kong in logistics development.
Our policy objective is to develop Hong Kong into a sustainable international smart logistics hub. The HKSAR Government is mainly taking the role as a market facilitator and enabler, providing the necessary infrastructure facilities and regulatory support, for example the construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), so as to improve the transportation network within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and further expand Hong Kong’s cargo hinterland to the western Pearl River Delta (PRD) region.
Favourable environment
The HKSAR Government has all along been providing a favourable environment for the development of the logistics industry. Specific facilitation measures include encouraging the application of smart solutions within the trade, developing high-end and high value-added logistics services, enhancing intermodal transportation, actively identifying logistics sites for the industry’s development, as well as enhancing manpower training.
To further promote modern logistics development, the HKSAR Government promulgated the Action Plan on Modern Logistics Development (the Action Plan) on 31 October 2023, in consultation with the logistics industry as well as the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council (LOGSCOUNCIL).
The Action Plan sets out eight strategies and 24 action measures to meet the short, medium, and long-term development needs of the logistics sector. By realising smart development, modernisation, green and sustainability, internationalisation and facilitation, the Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into a sustainable international smart logistics hub focusing on high-value goods and the e-commerce market, thereby capitalising on the tremendous opportunities brought by the rapid development of our country and the region.
To maintain Hong Kong’s leading status as an international logistics centre, it is also crucial that we continue to expand the catchment area of our cargo services. We will therefore continue to spearhead the development of the comprehensive ‘Rail-sea-land-river’ intermodal transport system which enhance Hong Kong’s connectivity with inland area, such as Sichuan and Chongqing, as well as extend the arrangements under the Air Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme to other intermodal cargo-transshipment modes, thereby facilitating and attracting more goods to go through Hong Kong.
Background
Action Plan on Modern Logistics Development
To achieve our objective of developing Hong Kong into a sustainable international smart logistics hub, we announced in the Action Plan the following measures to drive the development of the logistics industry in the directions of smartness, modernisation, green and sustainability, internationalisation, and facilitation –
Realising smart development
To promote digitalisation and smart logistics development in the industry, a pilot subsidy scheme was launched in October 2020 to assist eligible third-party logistics providers in adopting technology and smart logistics solutions. The scheme was enhanced in 2023 and 2024 respectively, with the Government’s subsidy ratio and the subsidy ceiling raised.
We also launched the Professional Training on Smart and Green Logistics Scheme under the “Maritime and Aviation Training Fund” (MATF) in January 2024 to support practitioners to equip themselves with smart logistics-related training.
Technical support
In terms of technical support, we will also strengthen our support for logistics enterprises by working with the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) to provide one-on-one advisory services to logistics enterprises and assist them in selecting appropriate technology solutions.
We noted there is a need to facilitate the interconnectivity and interoperability of data on different logistics data platforms, thereby enhancing the capability of the logistics industry, in particular SMEs, in managing the flow of goods and information. To this end, the Government has commenced a consultancy study to facilitate SME’s accessing logistics data platforms, and develop a business-to-bueinss (B2B) platform so as to facilitate the provision of value-added logistics services by the logistics industry, with a view to enhancing the efficiency of the supply chain and the competitiveness of the logistics industry.
Modernisation
To build and promote the high-end and innovative industry image, we launched the Logistics Promotion Funding Scheme in January 2024 to encourage logistics-related organisations and professional bodies to organise local promotional campaigns and activities.
To address the demand for suitable sites for logistics development, the Government will on one hand dispose of a total of four parcels of logistics land covering about 19 hectares near the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals regularly from 2024 to 2027, The first of such logistics sites in Tsing Yi, with a total area of about 4.4 hectares, was sold through public tender in February this year.
On the other hand, the Government will also develop modern logistics clusters in the New Development Areas (NDAs) of the Northern Metropolis, with the Hung Shui Kiu / Ha Tsuen NDA being a pilot site, so as to achieve clustering effect, increase the operational efficiency of the logistics industry and thereby facilitate the sustainable development of smart logistics in Hong Kong. A planning study for the development of logistics cluster commenced in March 2024 with relevant findings expected to be released this year.
Green and sustainability
To promote green logistics, we released the Roadmap for ESG (environmental, social and governance) Development for Logistics Industry in June this year for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the logistics industry to follow for achieving compliance with international ESG requirements, with an aim to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s logistics industry and hence Hong Kong’s position as an international logistics hub.
Internationalisation
The Government will join hands with the LOGSCOUNCIL in promoting Hong Kong and actively explore new business opportunities in cities in the ASEAN, the Middle East and other countries along the ‘Belt and Road’ to expand the footprint of the industry, thereby strengthening Hong Kong’s position as an international logistics hub.
The Government will continue to strengthen the collaborated development with other cities in the GBA and the Mainland through improving various multimodal transport and making good use of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and actively dovetailing with national development strategies.
Facilitation
The Government appointed representatives from relevant Government bureaux and departments as well as other related industry sectors in 2024 into the LOGSCOUNCIL to facilitate discussion on cross-sectoral issues related to logistics at the platform.
Air Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme
Currently, a number of categories of articles subject to import and export control are exempted from the licensing requirement provided that such articles are imported and consigned for export by aircraft and remains within the cargo transshipment area of the Hong Kong International Airport during its transshipment period.
The said Scheme covers air-to-air transshipment cargo only but no other intermodal transshipments, such as sea-to-air or sea-to-sea transshipments. With a view to enhancing our competitiveness in trade and logistics, the Government will intend an amendment bill next year to extend arrangements under the said Scheme to other intermodal cargo-transshipment modes.
Statistics
In 2023, the contribution of the trading and logistics industry to GDP is 18.8% (HK$ 548.8bn), and its contribution to total employment is 15.5% (576 300 jobs).
For the logistics industry alone, its contribution to GDP is 3.6% in 2023 (HK$ 103.8bn), with its contribution to total employment is 4.6% (171 500 jobs).
Hong Kong SAR
Transport and Logistics Bureau
Logistics Development Section
November 2025
