What Changed
- Completed a preliminary review of port dues and permit fees charged to river trade vessels, with details pending release.
- Reaffirmed compulsory pilotage requirements under Cap. 84 for visiting vessels of GT 3,000+, dangerous goods carriers of GT 1,000+, and gas carriers.
- Retained 35 hectares of the 65-hectare Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal site for modern logistics and river trade under the Smart and Green Industrial Port proposal.
### Background and Strategic Context
On November 4, 2026, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Ms Mable Chan provided a detailed written response to Legislative Council Question LCQ9 raised by Hon Lothair Lam regarding support, fee structures, green transformation, and infrastructure planning for river trade vessels (RTVs) operating between Hong Kong and Mainland ports in the Pearl River Delta.
According to the 2026 Xinhua-Baltic: International Shipping Centre Development Index Report, Hong Kong ranks fourth globally in overall shipping strength, covering port conditions, professional shipping services, and business environment. To maintain competitiveness, the Transport and Logistics Bureau is advancing port policies outlined in the December 2023 Action Plan on Maritime and Port Development Strategy, the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026–2030), and the 2026 Policy Address. Key priorities focus on smart transition, green transformation, and digitalisation across the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) port cluster.
### River Cargo Throughput and Fee Structure Reviews
Official figures from the Census and Statistics Department show vessel arrivals and container throughput for river cargo vessels berthing primarily at the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals (KTCT) from 2023 through July 2026:
* **2023:** 4,344 vessel arrivals (-35.5% year-on-year); net tonnage of 7,521 thousand tonnes (-32.0%); container throughput of 1,627 thousand TEU (-17.1%).
* **2024:** 3,644 vessel arrivals (-16.1%); net tonnage of 7,289 thousand tonnes (-3.1%); container throughput of 1,651 thousand TEU (+1.4%).
* **2025:** 3,519 vessel arrivals (-3.4%); net tonnage of 8,360 thousand tonnes (+14.7%); container throughput of 1,517 thousand TEU (-8.1%).
* **2026 (January to July):** 2,101 vessel arrivals (-0.1%); net tonnage of 5,599 thousand tonnes (+12.0%); container throughput of 878 thousand TEU (-0.7%, July provisional).
To facilitate inland river transshipment operations, the Marine Department (MD) introduced the Multiple Entry Permit (MEP) incentive in 2007. Under the scheme, vessel operators pay a fee equivalent to five single entry permits to make up to ten port entries per month. Annual MEP issuances totaled 743 in 2023, 5,650 in 2024, and 5,865 in 2025. The lower usage in 2023 reflected the temporary waiver of the Permit to Remain (PTR) fee for RTVs between November 1, 2019, and October 31, 2023. Following commitments in the Action Plan, government departments have completed a preliminary review of permit fees for RTVs to preserve Hong Kong's port competitiveness, with further details to be announced.
### Marine Safety and Compulsory Pilotage Requirements
Under the Pilotage Ordinance (Cap. 84) and its subsidiary legislation, compulsory pilotage applies to non-locally licensed visiting vessels entering Hong Kong waters if they meet specific thresholds:
* Gross tonnage of 3,000 tonnes or above;
* Gross tonnage of 1,000 tonnes or above carrying dangerous goods; or
* Gas carriers of any tonnage.
According to MD records, 130,404 visiting vessels required pilotage services between 2023 and 2025. The vast majority were ocean-going vessels (OGVs) ranging between 10,000 and 50,000 gross tonnes, with container ships accounting for over 110,000 of these visits.
### Green Transformation and Regional GBA Collaboration
Industry developments in green shipping include the launch in mid-October 2026 of the GBA's first zero-carbon river trade route, operated by the largest river trade container smart electric vessel in South China. Under Hong Kong's Five-Year Plan, the Government is participating in a national scenario incubation project focused on a "water-to-water transshipment" smart and green logistics model. Collaborative efforts with industry stakeholders also aim to foster a operational environment for autonomous vessels across Hong Kong and the wider GBA.
### Redevelopment of the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal
In August 2025, the Development Bureau (DEVB) conducted a public engagement exercise on land-use proposals for Lung Kwu Tan/Tuen Mun West (LKT/TMW). The proposal foresees creating approximately 300 hectares of developable land via near-shore reclamation and land modification to establish a Smart and Green Industrial Port (SGIP).
Addressing the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal (TMRTT), the land proposal retains approximately 35 hectares of the existing 65-hectare RTT site for modern logistics and river trade operations. This allocation ensures continued capacity for river trade while building in planning flexibility for digital and smart modern logistics operations.
***
### Frequently Asked Questions
**Q1: What financial fee incentives currently apply to river trade vessels entering Hong Kong?**
**A:** The Marine Department offers a Multiple Entry Permit (MEP) scheme, allowing operators to pay the fee for five single entry permits and complete up to ten port entries within a month. Additionally, the Government completed a preliminary review of permit fees charged to river trade vessels, with details to be released in due course.
**Q2: Which vessels are subject to compulsory pilotage in Hong Kong waters?**
**A:** Under the Pilotage Ordinance (Cap. 84), compulsory pilotage applies to all non-locally licensed visiting vessels with a gross tonnage of 3,000 tonnes or above, vessels carrying dangerous goods with a gross tonnage of 1,000 tonnes or above, and gas carriers of any tonnage.
**Q3: How is Hong Kong supporting the green transformation of river trade vessels?**
**A:** The Government is participating in a national scenario incubation project under Hong Kong's Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) to develop a smart and green "water-to-water transshipment" logistics model, while supporting zero-carbon electric vessel initiatives and autonomous vessel operations in the GBA.
**Q4: Will the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal be closed completely under the Smart and Green Industrial Port project?**
**A:** No. The land-use proposal by the Development Bureau retains about 35 hectares of the existing 65-hectare site for river trade and modern logistics operations, while reallocating remaining space for high value-added modern logistics uses.
Who May Be Affected
River trade vessel operators, freight forwarders, container terminal operators, and maritime logistics companies operating between Hong Kong SAR and ports in Mainland China's Pearl River Delta.
Cross-Border Context
Cross-boundary river cargo transportation and transshipment operations connecting Hong Kong SAR ports with Pearl River Delta terminals in Guangdong Province (including Guangzhou and Shenzhen) under Greater Bay Area regional port collaboration plans.
What to check next
- Announcement of final details regarding the review of permit fees charged to river trade vessels.
- Progress on statutory rezoning procedures for the Smart and Green Industrial Port project at Lung Kwu Tan/Tuen Mun West following DEVB public engagement.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.