The Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics (HAFFA) held its Annual General Meeting for 2026, where Mr. Gary Lau marked the start of the second half of his current two-year term as Chairman by outlining the prominent organisation’s major achievements, as well as noting some of the key challenges currently faced by the industry.
Commented Mr. Lau: “As we strive together to strengthen the Hong Kong logistics industry’s position as a major pillar of the city’s economy through innovation and the adoption of sophisticated technological advancements, geopolitical and economic challenges continue to demand robust action from the Association, and we must also remain alert to real-world threats and ready to act fast and effectively to ameliorate their effects.”
When recent events in the Middle East caused fuel prices to rise, HAFFA strongly protested the subsequent astronomical increase in Cargo Fuel Surcharges (CFS) announced by major Hong Kong airlines, rises which far exceeded those of international oil prices. Vigorously, and publicly, communicating the urgent concerns of members, HAFFA chairman Mr. Lau stressed the unbearable burden the abrupt escalation in surcharges placed on freight forwarders, the impact on costs, cargo flows, livelihoods and the wider economy, and the consequent erosion of Hong Kong’s competitiveness as an international logistics hub.
Since 2016, HAFFA has been proactively addressing CFS matters, faithfully following up on all changes in protecting members’ interests. HAFFA has highlighted how recent excessive increases stem from a liberalised environment lacking transparency and oversight. We reiterate our call for the reinstatement of proper CFS mechanisms to ensure fair competition, prevent profiteering, and safeguard the industry’s fundamental interests.
HAFFA’s insistent advocacy and intensive negotiations with Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) and the Hong Kong Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) on 27 March 2026 yielded welcome clarity and partial relief for the industry in an already challenging environment. Following its review of Medium-Haul and overall cargo fuel surcharges, CX introduced a new Medium-Haul CFS category, and we informed HAFFA members on 8 April 2026 of the reclassification of South Asian destinations from Long-Haul to Medium-Haul. HAFFA thanked CX for all the actions and the TLB for enabling the discussion. HAFFA will continue to closely monitor developments and take all necessary steps to protect members’ best interests amid ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East.
Long-term, it is more crucial than ever for the logistics industry to deliver efficient, seamless services and stay ahead of the curve to maintain Hong Kong’s competitive edge. A key enabler is the adoption of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).
Following last summer’s publication of the Government’s ESG Development Roadmap for the Logistics Industry, the TLB developed a bespoke toolkit to help logistics SMEs implement ESG. HAFFA supported the toolkit’s development and promotion. The ESG Data Collection Tools—supported by teaching videos and success cases—enable SMEs to produce internationally disclosure-compliant reports, improve ESG performance, and strengthen sustainability requirements, enhancing competitiveness.
HAFFA has been instrumental in advancing Hong Kong’s digital logistics efforts. The Trade Single Window (TSW), tirelessly campaigned for by HAFFA for over a decade, an integrated, one-stop electronic import and export trade document submission platform, represents a major step towards achieving the goal of a seamless digitised industry. Here again, HAFFA has played an important role in the development and implementation of the initiative, representing its members at every stage and encouraging TSW registrations.
As a strategic advisor on the Port Community System (PCS) initiative, HAFFA continues its collaboration with stakeholders to transform Hong Kong into an unrivalled smart logistics hub. Officially rolled out in January 2026, the drive towards industry transformation and logistics data connectivity. HAFFA continues to play a pivotal role in the imperative push towards the implementation of a critical data infrastructure, galvanising its members and other stakeholders towards digital interconnectivity as part of a wider mission to build an interoperable logistics environment to drive sustainable growth and strengthen Hong Kong’s long-term competitiveness. HAFFA sees the PCS as an integral part of reinforcing the city’s role in shaping the future of global supply chains.
To facilitate continuity of the Association’s vision and policy implementation, since 2011, the term of each HAFFA Executive Committee has been two years. Therefore, as 2026 is not an election year, the AGM was conducted solely by the members of the current Executive Committee, with the majority of ordinary members appointing a proxy to vote on the resolutions. The next HAFFA election will be held in 2027 for the 2027/2029 term.
Established in 1966, and now with 300 corporate members, HAFFA is responsible for setting industry standards as well as providing educational courses which enhance the professional standards of freight forwarders and logistics services providers.
