Hong Kong's chief executive Leung Chun-ying in his annual policy address for this year announced that the government will merge the existing Maritime Industry Council (MIC) and the Port Development Council (PDC) to form a new Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board.

The board, to be chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, will promote manpower development, marketing and research on all fronts to develop a high value-added maritime services sector, he said.

Leung added that the board will also assist the government to formulate strategies and policies to enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international transportation centre and, in particular, to spur further growth of the maritime services cluster.

The MIC and PDC are the two main local maritime industry bodies in Hong Kong and help facilitate the development of the sector in the territory.