As other ports rise, HK still has much value for shippers

Logistics industry insiders called on Hong Kong to enhance its high-end shipping services, rather than focusing so much on container throughput. Doing so, they said, would burnish its reputation as an international shipping center.

"Hong Kong should provide more high-level shipping services, including maritime arbitration and logistics, to Chinese companies investing in countries along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road," said Zhu Hanliang, managing director of Asia Container Terminals, which is based in Hong Kong.

"It's necessary for Hong Kong to make use of its advantages instead of only paying attention to maintaining the container throughput, which shrank in recent years," he said.