Labour shortage clips the wings of Hong Kong's logistics hub

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Life has not been easy for Hong Kong’s freight and transport industries in recent years. As a port, Hong Kong has had to gradually relinquish its place at the top of the container table rankings – first to Singapore and then, gradually but inexorably, to Shanghai. Competition from lower-cost ports and airports in the Chinese mainland has gradually eroded its market share. Nonetheless, Hong Kong’s decline has never occurred as prophesised, due largely to its inhabitants’ endless capacity for economic innovation. But that may be changing – its key offering has been its highly educated and motivated workforce, but the supply of new labour into the market is tighter than ever.