Hong Kong plans to build Northern Metropolis logistics hub for smart, green growth Hong Kong is building a logistic hub for high-value goods, e-commerce and low-altitude economy in the Northern Metropolis mega development project, with authorities set to gauge industry interest in the first site of the cluster this year. The Transport and Logistics Bureau said on Friday that authorities aimed to attract leading logistics firms with tailored incentives, such as land grant arrangements and premium concessions, to a planned industrial cluster covering more than 30 hectares in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area, part of the megaproject. Authorities released the findings of a study on the logistics cluster as part of efforts to strengthen the city’s role as an international logistics hub while aligning with national development goals. According to the plan, the cluster will be divided into five zones: high-value goods logistics; e-commerce logistics; freight forwarding and low-altitude economy; smart and green mass transit system depot; and future expansion. Land acquisition is under way, with sites expected to be ready between 2027 and 2032. “It will be a significant step for Hong Kong towards becoming a smart logistics hub, solidifying the city’s position as an international logistics hub.” The bureau had proposed in the Action Plan on Modern Logistics Development in October 2023 the development of modern logistics clusters with different functions across the new development areas of the Northern Metropolis. The megaproject, first announced in 2021, aims to turn 30,000 hectares (74,132 acres) of land near the border with mainland China into an engine for economic growth and a housing hub. Authorities have earmarked about 36 hectares of logistics land in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area as a pilot site. The bureau said the cluster’s location – about a five‑minute drive from Shenzhen Bay Port – made it ideal for cross-boundary cargo flow, while being about a 25‑minute drive from both Hong Kong International Airport and Kwai Tsing Container Terminals. The cluster is intended to leverage Hong Kong’s strengths in sea, land and air logistics to become a leading industrial hub in the region. It is also aimed to serve as the logistics gateway to the Greater Bay Area, Beijing’s scheme linking Hong Kong, Macau and nine Guangdong cities into an integrated economic and business hub. The city’s development of the logistics industry also aligns with the nation’s development blueprint for 2026 to 2030. According to the cluster plan, a site of about five hectares near the town centre of the new development area will be designated for high-value goods logistics, such as electronic products, jewellery and pharmaceuticals. The planned e-commerce logistics site, covering about 10 hectares, will provide extensive space for handling large volumes of fast‑moving goods and conducting security screening before air shipment. Authorities also plan to allocate about 4.5 hectares of land near the Hong Kong–Shenzhen Western Highway for freight forwarding and the low-altitude economy, including cross‑border drone deliveries. Two further zones are planned, one for the proposed depot of a smart and green mass transit system and another reserved for future expansion. The bureau spokesman said authorities would focus on attracting leading logistics firms to the cluster, offering bespoke entry terms such as land grant arrangements, land premium concessions or subsidies to meet their specific operational needs. Flexible development models will be adopted to lower business costs. These include non‑traditional land disposal methods, development of lower‑rise logistics facilities, consolidation of land parcels to form larger plots and longer subletting terms. Among other measures is the improvement of the calculation of gross floor area for high headroom logistics facilities to encourage the industry to adopt smart logistics equipment that requires more operational space. The government will invite the industry to submit expressions of interest for each site within the cluster to gauge market demand and collect feedback on development proposals before their release. The process for the first site will begin this year. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3340213/hong-kong-plans-build-northern-metropolis-logistics-hub-smart-green-growth?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article (ICE HONG KONG)

Fonte notizia: South China Morning Post