Hong Kong has a successful shipping industry with many well-known and experienced shipping-related companies. There are some 900 shipping-related companies operating in Hong Kong, providing a wide range of maritime services from ship owning/management, ship registration, financing, insurance, shipbroking to maritime arbitration, survey, repairs and ship replenishment.

The Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council (MIC), another high-level dedicated advisory body chaired by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour and made up of key players of the private sector and Government officials, advises the Government on the formulation of measures and initiatives to further develop Hong Kong's maritime industry. It also assists the Government in promoting the comprehensive maritime services provided in Hong Kong and Hong Kong's status as an international maritime centre.

There are two task forces under the MIC to focus on different issues. The Human Resource Task Force addresses the education, training and manpower supply issues while the Maritime Services Task Force focuses on formulating measures to promote the various sectors in the maritime cluster.