Examining key issues as global supply chain reshapes
HONG KONG, Oct 18, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - Jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 11th Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation
Conference (ALMAC) will be held on 2 and 3 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The event
will be held in a hybrid format, with both physical and online elements, for the first time.
Running under the theme "RESILIENCE . AGILITY . SUSTAINABILITY Reshaping the Global Supply Chain", the annual signature
event for maritime, air freight, logistics and supply chain management, and shippers will examine the major factors
currently influencing the global economy, looking at how the COVID-19 pandemic, digital transformation and geopolitical
tensions are reshaping the global supply chain and discussing both opportunities and risks for businesses, including the
issue of sustainable development.
ALMAC brings together participants from maritime, air freight, logistics and supply chain management industries as well
as shippers to get market insights, exchange market intelligence and explore business opportunities. Industry
representatives can take part in the event at the main venue in Hong Kong or satellite venues in Beijing, Guangzhou,
Chengdu, Chongqing and more. In addition to running a live broadcast of the conference, some of the satellite venues
will invite experts to address logistics issues and experiences from a more local perspective and enable participants to
enjoy face-to-face exchanges and business matching activities at the same time. It is expected that the conference will
attract more than 10,000 industry participants from over 50 countries and regions.
"This year's ALMAC will focus on the prospects for global recovery, examining issues such as geopolitical tensions,
regional collaboration and new opportunities under China's 14th Five-Year Plan. It will also highlight the new trade
order and evolving intermodal networks in the Asia-Pacific region, e-commerce trends, the post-pandemic evolution of the
retail industry, along with the development of a sustainable supply chain and digital transformation trends beyond 2021.
The conference continues to connect the global industry through a powerful online platform without boundaries and will
give participants a deeper understanding of the current industry situation and help them capture new opportunities.
These issues will impact the logistics industry as well as shippers. I would encourage all shippers, including traders,
exporters and manufacturers, to join the conference to understand the issues and get insights on how to deal with them,"
said Patrick Lau, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director.
Exploring the current business landscape
More than 60 industry experts will speak in person or virtually over the two days of the conference. In the Power
Dialogue session on day one (2 November), with discussion on how shippers and big industry players are adjusting to the
post-pandemic era; and how regional supply chain networks are expected to evolve in the coming years.
Capturing GBA opportunities and the future for smart air cargo
With its modern and sophisticated aviation hub and factors such as its simple and fast customs clearance procedures,
Hong Kong's air cargo transport sector has developed into one of the world's major players. Despite the severe impact of
the pandemic on global air freight activities over the past year, international cargo traffic through the Hong Kong hub
has remained resilient. Through the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the city looks
set to play an important role in the future development of aviation and logistics in the region. On the first day of the
conference, the Air Freight Forum (Part I) will explore ways for companies to capitalise on GBA-focused opportunities.
The demand for air cargo remains buoyant as world trade continues to gain momentum, particularly in the e-commerce
sector. However, the air freight industry has lagged behind in digitalisation and its efficiency not only needs to
evolve to meet booming demand for e-commerce, perishables and specialty cargo shipments, but must also adapt to
accommodate shifting supply lanes amid changing trade environments and evolving consumer expectations. This is creating
significant logistics challenges and the digitalisation of air cargo management has become key to the industry's
progress. The Air Freight Forum (Part II) will examine the future for smart air cargo.
Hong Kong's changing role as international maritime centre
In a period of increasing global competition, Hong Kong continues to provide high-value-added maritime services. Various
measures have been introduced, including ship leasing and maritime insurance, as well as support measures for the
maritime arbitration and training sectors. Moreover, the Belt and Road Initiative and development of the Greater Bay
Area are expected to create enormous opportunities for all commercial sectors, including shipping. The Insight Exchange
session will discuss Hong Kong's future prospects as a premier international maritime centre.
Exploring topical issues from e-commerce to net-zero emissions
As lockdowns became the new normal, businesses and consumers increasingly "went digital" in response. Amid the
challenges in the global economy, the pandemic helped to accelerate the growth of e-commerce worldwide. At the same
time, merchants have been facing a raft of logistical challenges. In the Power Dialogue session on day two of the
conference (3 November), speakers will focus on some of the post-pandemic megatrends in the e-commerce arena.
Another key issue to address is sustainability, with many governments around the world now committed to achieve net-zero
carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. In the final Power Dialogue session, titled "Beyond 2050: Quest for a Zero-carbon and
Sustainable Supply Chain", speakers will explore how the global supply chain will play an important role in meeting the
net-zero challenge.
Brand-new session allows real-time interaction
The Exclusive Dialogue sessions will look into the challenges faced by shippers and share how corporations can develop
new business models, operations and measures to minimise disruptions and risks. These new sessions will allow local
participants to interact with conference speakers face-to-face.
InnoTalks and MarketTalks return to examine industry issues
The InnoTalks and MarketTalks sessions both return in 2021, with the former featuring smart port development in the
Asia-Pacific region, supply chain optimisation via efficient international payments, and how logistics platforms can
create efficiencies and sustainability for all stakeholders, helping conference participants keep abreast of
technological developments in the industry. With logistics service users encountering various kinds of hindrances while
conducting foreign trade, the MarketTalks sessions will feature key industry players from Malaysia, Shandong and Shaanxi
Province and Chongqing City to provide the latest market insights and opportunity analysis, guiding attendees to explore
business opportunities in the logistics ecosystems.
The ALMAC Online platform provides several interactive opportunities to connect industry players. Among them, the "Meet
the Experts" roundtable will be conducted in both online and physical formats, inviting shippers and logistics service
providers to participate to create more cross-industry interaction and discussion and provide participants with feasible
insights and practical suggestions, helping to address some of the current supply chain challenges.
The seminars and forums will bring together a range of noted speakers, including (in alphabetical order according to
family name):
- Tony Domingo, Senior Vice President, Group Supply Chain and Procurement, Nestle China
- Raymond Fung, Director of Trades, Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd
- Frosti Lau, Chairman, HKIA Air Cargo Carrier Liaison Group
- Kelvin Leung, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific
- Robin Li, Vice President, China Merchants Port Holdings Co Ltd
- John Parkes, Managing Director - Integrated Logistics, Kerry Logistics Network
- Joseph Phi, Group CEO, Li & Fung
- Mark Slade, Managing Director, DHL Global Forwarding Hong Kong & Macau
- Brendan Sullivan, Global Head of Cargo, International Air Transport Association
- James Zhao, General Manager of Global Supply Chain, Cainiao Network
Flagship event of Hong Kong Maritime Week
ALMAC is a flagship event of Hong Kong Maritime Week, organised by the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board. The conference
is supported by the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council and Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board. The HKTDC invited 20
global leaders from the logistics and shipping industries, along with representatives from internationally renowned
companies, to serve as honorary advisors on setting the agenda and content of ALMAC.
About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop
Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way
global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to
create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and
international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports
and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn