Our Hong Kong Story Series by OHKF — Dialogue with Tim Huxley: “Super Connector” Role Becoming More Critical Integrating with the Greater Bay Area to Drive Long-term Development
Our Hong Kong Story Series by OHKF — Dialogue with Tim Huxley: “Super Connector” Role Becoming More Critical Integrating with the Greater Bay Area to Drive Long-term Development
[29 May 2026, Hong Kong] — Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF) and Hong Kong Maritime Museum jointly organised a cultural dialogue under the “Our Hong Kong Story” series. The event invited prominent leaders and experts from the shipping industry to share their stories of striving and rooting in Hong Kong. It also deeply explored Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” linking the Chinese Mainland and the world, emphasising that Hong Kong should actively integrate into the development of the Greater Bay Area, fully leverage its strong strengths in ship finance, maritime law, and technical services, and comprehensively promote the prosperity and flourishing of high value-added shipping services.
The event featured a strong lineup, with Mr Tim Huxley, Chairman of Mandarin Shipping Limited, as the keynote speaker, who later joined the subsequent panel discussion moderated by Mr Lee Williamson, Editorial Director of Fortune Asia. The other panellists included Mr Greg McMillan, Executive Director of Venture Energy Limited.
The event opened with welcome remarks by Mr Lawrence Shum, Patron and Advisor of OHKF and Chairman of New Navigator Group Limited, and Mr Richard Kendall, Director and Chief Executive of Hong Kong Maritime Museum.
In his welcome speech, Mr Lawrence Shum said: “As we look toward the next era of maritime development, our industry faces both profound challenges and immense opportunities. These range from the complexities of the green transition and decarbonisation to the rapid integration of smart logistics and digitalisation across the Greater Bay Area. To navigate these waters, we need the kind of deep insight, historical perspective, and forward-looking optimism that Tim brings to the table.”
Mr Richard Kendall remarked: “Hong Kong Maritime Museum is delighted to join Our Hong Kong Foundation in welcoming Tim Huxley to the museum for a compelling conversation on how a brief visit to Hong Kong can evolve into a lifelong connection. Drawing on decades in global shipping and as a close friend of the museum, Tim shared personal insights into the city’s enduring ability to attract talent, inspire commitment, and feel like home.”
In his keynote speech, Mr Tim Huxley shared his in-depth insights on the development of Hong Kong’s shipping sector: “Hong Kong’s has always been the gateway and super connector to China and that role is now as crucial as ever. As China’s premier international city, the well respected and highly developed global presence of Hong Kong makes it the ideal platform both for Chinese enterprises to reach out to the world and for global companies to access the Chinese Mainland.”
He continued: “Hong Kong’s role in maritime services has evolved over the past century and it has been a leader in numerous different sectors of the maritime industry. Whilst the shipbuilding industry has disappeared and the number of actual shipowners based here has declined, other areas such as ship management have thrived to become world leaders. The rise of the GBA can enhance Hong Kong’s maritime industry as a partner in one of the most populous and fastest growing economic regions on the planet through leveraging on its proven expertise in ship finance, law and technical services together with embracing the advances in technology which will both have an impact on shipping technology and require high value shipping services to develop.”
Mr Tim Huxley stated: “I remain optimistic about Hong Kong’s future as a maritime centre because of my firm belief in Hong Kong people. We have not lost our ability to nurture entrepreneurs and provided we continue to be a welcoming centre for shipping businesses across all sectors of the industry, there is every reason for Hong Kong to thrive.”
The event was fully booked and received strong support and participation from distinguished guests across various sectors. Supporting organisations included the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Hong Kong Shipowners Association. The Hong Kong Maritime Museum served as the collaborative partner and venue sponsor.
[29 May 2026, Hong Kong] — Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF) and Hong Kong Maritime Museum jointly organised a cultural dialogue under the “Our Hong Kong Story” series. The event invited prominent leaders and experts from the shipping industry to share their stories of striving and rooting in Hong Kong. It also deeply explored Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” linking the Chinese Mainland and the world, emphasising that Hong Kong should actively integrate into the development of the Greater Bay Area, fully leverage its strong strengths in ship finance, maritime law, and technical services, and comprehensively promote the prosperity and flourishing of high value-added shipping services.
The event featured a strong lineup, with Mr Tim Huxley, Chairman of Mandarin Shipping Limited, as the keynote speaker, who later joined the subsequent panel discussion moderated by Mr Lee Williamson, Editorial Director of Fortune Asia. The other panellists included Mr Greg McMillan, Executive Director of Venture Energy Limited.
The event opened with welcome remarks by Mr Lawrence Shum, Patron and Advisor of OHKF and Chairman of New Navigator Group Limited, and Mr Richard Kendall, Director and Chief Executive of Hong Kong Maritime Museum.
In his welcome speech, Mr Lawrence Shum said: “As we look toward the next era of maritime development, our industry faces both profound challenges and immense opportunities. These range from the complexities of the green transition and decarbonisation to the rapid integration of smart logistics and digitalisation across the Greater Bay Area. To navigate these waters, we need the kind of deep insight, historical perspective, and forward-looking optimism that Tim brings to the table.”
Mr Richard Kendall remarked: “Hong Kong Maritime Museum is delighted to join Our Hong Kong Foundation in welcoming Tim Huxley to the museum for a compelling conversation on how a brief visit to Hong Kong can evolve into a lifelong connection. Drawing on decades in global shipping and as a close friend of the museum, Tim shared personal insights into the city’s enduring ability to attract talent, inspire commitment, and feel like home.”
In his keynote speech, Mr Tim Huxley shared his in-depth insights on the development of Hong Kong’s shipping sector: “Hong Kong’s has always been the gateway and super connector to China and that role is now as crucial as ever. As China’s premier international city, the well respected and highly developed global presence of Hong Kong makes it the ideal platform both for Chinese enterprises to reach out to the world and for global companies to access the Chinese Mainland.”
He continued: “Hong Kong’s role in maritime services has evolved over the past century and it has been a leader in numerous different sectors of the maritime industry. Whilst the shipbuilding industry has disappeared and the number of actual shipowners based here has declined, other areas such as ship management have thrived to become world leaders. The rise of the GBA can enhance Hong Kong’s maritime industry as a partner in one of the most populous and fastest growing economic regions on the planet through leveraging on its proven expertise in ship finance, law and technical services together with embracing the advances in technology which will both have an impact on shipping technology and require high value shipping services to develop.”
Mr Tim Huxley stated: “I remain optimistic about Hong Kong’s future as a maritime centre because of my firm belief in Hong Kong people. We have not lost our ability to nurture entrepreneurs and provided we continue to be a welcoming centre for shipping businesses across all sectors of the industry, there is every reason for Hong Kong to thrive.”
The event was fully booked and received strong support and participation from distinguished guests across various sectors. Supporting organisations included the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Hong Kong Shipowners Association. The Hong Kong Maritime Museum served as the collaborative partner and venue sponsor.
