Gerry Yim, CEO of Hutchison Port Holdings Trust, will address the fourth Cool Logistics Asia in Hong Kong next week.
Yim is speaking on 6 September in the same session as Jeremy Nixon, CEO of Ocean Network Express, the world’s sixth largest container operator.
Hutchison Ports is the world’s leading port network, with operations spanning across 52 ports in 26 countries. The core operations of Hutchison Ports in South China include Hong Kong and Shenzhen, supported by river port facilities in the area.
With over 250 weekly vessel calls covering all major fruit trading markets, Hutchison Ports South China plays a vital role as the global reefer perishables trading hub and gateway to China.
“While liners are our main customers, Hutchison Ports is keen to extend the reach to stakeholders along the supply chain building a logistics ecosystem,” Yim explained.
“Exhibiting at Asia Fruit Logistica is an essential step to understand port users’ needs in the reefer market and share how our port network can serve as the propeller of global fruit trading and the gateway to China.”
To stay ahead of the game, Hutchison Ports South China is positioning itself as far more than a gateway for shipping. The group’s efforts are now increasingly directed at creating innovative supply chain solutions through technological advancement.
Hutchison Ports’ flagship terminal – Hong Kong International Terminals Limited (HIT) – is offering electronic release order (e-RO) solution to digitise shipment process and facilitate fast, convenient, secure online exchange of import documents and instructions for paperless release of import laden containers at terminals.
Hutchison Ports South China is also investing in the latest remote reefer monitoring solutions, which are designed to provide real time monitoring of reefer containers and are expected to improve data visibility, reduce human error and damages, as well as maximising the freshness of produce.
Another significant development for Hutchison Ports is the China Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). BRI is a development strategy proposed by the Chinese government, which focuses on connectivity and cooperation between different Eurasian countries. Given that 43 of the 52 ports operated by Hutchison are situated along the Belt and Road, representing 96% of its total throughput, the company is well placed to benefit from the Belt and Road opportunities.
Although a lot of work still needs to be done to develop reefer trades between Europe and Asia, the BRI is expected to have far reaching consequences, especially as the attraction of the Chinese market is set to continue.
“Whilst reefers only represent a fraction of world container trade, the value of perishables transported by sea is in fact much higher and growing,” said Alex von Stempel, managing director of Cool Logistics Resources and Freshwater Logistics, who will be chairing the Cool Logistics Asia event.
“We are proud to welcome Mr Yim, as a speaker at Cool Logistics Asia this year.”
Cool Logistics Asia will be held on the trade show floor at Asia Fruit Logistica, the leading event for the fresh produce industry in Asia. Sessions will take place daily from 5-7 September, starting at 10:30am.
