Dec 04 - Port Trade Mission To Hong Kong “Very Constructive For Gibraltar” Says Minister
The Minister for the Port, Neil Costa, has expressed great confidence regarding the Port of Gibraltar’s potential for further expansion, following his official visit to Hong Kong.
Mr Costa, who led a Gibraltar delegation, attended meetings with key strategic stakeholders and decision makers, as part of a campaign to build on the common ground and interests between the influential Hong Kong shipping community and the Port of Gibraltar. The Ministry plans to develop and strengthen the newly established relationships, so that the Port may better serve the significant fleet, owned or operated by companies in the Far East, transiting the Straits of Gibraltar every day.
Round-table meetings were held with ship owners, fleet managers, agents and port service providers during the four-day visit. The trade mission included a reception hosted by HMGoG at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, attended by over 150 esteemed guests of the Hong Kong shipping community, aimed at recognising the long and distinguished maritime history of both Ports and strengthening their maritime futures.
The Minister expressed satisfaction at seeing how much business is channelled through Gibraltar in the maritime industry and declared that the meetings with the key stakeholders of the Hong Kong shipping community had been highly engaging and constructive, providing very useful insights as to the experience had by clients of the ports and how we could best position ourselves to generate even more business.
Mr Costa said: “There has been a tremendous interest not only in the Gibraltar flag, but also in the other quality professional services that the Port of Gibraltar provides, including the provision of spares, stores, crew changes and other husbandry services, apart from bunkering.”
The Minister added that the trade mission to Hong Kong will serve as a springboard to develop further port related commercial opportunities in Gibraltar.
On behalf of the delegation, the Minister would like to thank the Chief Executive of HMGoG’s Hong Kong Office, Jason Cruz, for his sterling work in opening so many and important doors for Gibraltar and helping to make this trade mission the most constructive yet.
The Government delegation led by Mr Costa included the Captain of the Port, Commodore Bob Sanguinetti, Diana Soussi from the Gibraltar Maritime Administration and the private delegation included Richard W De La Rosa from Astralship Corporation Ltd, Tyrone Pallas from Global Agency Company and George Dyke from Incargo Shipping Services.
