The Hong Kong government has introduced the "Future Smart Logistics Acceleration Scheme" to advance the development of information technology solutions for the sector.

This initiative aims to help logistics companies utilize data platforms operated by the government or public bodies, such as the Port Community System and the Hong Kong International Airport Cargo Data Platform, to enhance digital capabilities.

A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau noted that many local logistics firms, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, have low levels of digital adoption, which hampers their use of existing logistics data platforms.

The government hopes the scheme will encourage the industry to develop innovative IT solutions, helping businesses bridge the digital divide and promoting wider use of data platforms to boost the competitiveness of the logistics sector and support Hong Kong's development as an international smart logistics hub.

To continually drive the digital transformation of Hong Kong's logistics industry, the Financial Secretary announced in the 2026-27 Budget that the Acceleration Scheme would be established under the "Third-Party Logistics Service Providers Subsidy Pilot Scheme," with a target of benefiting 100 logistics companies.

Under the Acceleration Scheme, third-party logistics service providers can apply for funding to subscribe to or adopt pre-approved solutions from a designated whitelist.

Similar to the Pilot Scheme, applicants must be non-listed enterprises registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance with substantive business operations providing import-export third-party logistics services.

Funding will be provided on a matching basis of two dollars from the government for every one dollar from the enterprise.

Each eligible company can receive up to a total of HKD 2 million in subsidies under the Pilot Scheme, which includes the Acceleration Scheme.

Technology solution providers can apply to have their IT solutions, whether already developed or still under development, included in the pre-approved whitelist under the Acceleration Scheme.

These providers must be enterprises registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance.

Each technology solution provider may submit only one application for inclusion in the whitelist per solution, and that solution can be applicable to one or multiple logistics data platforms.

As the first phase, the Acceleration Scheme is now accepting whitelist applications, with the initial deadline set for June 30, 2026.

All whitelist applications will undergo a three-tier review mechanism, including an initial eligibility assessment by the Hong Kong Productivity Council, which serves as the scheme's secretariat.

This is followed by a two-stage technical evaluation interview conducted by the logistics data platform operators to assess compatibility with the relevant platforms, compliance with security and technical requirements, and relevance to the logistics industry.

Finally, the Pilot Scheme's management committee will make the final approval based on whether the solution aligns with the policy objectives of the Acceleration Scheme and its overall benefit to the logistics sector.

Solutions included in the whitelist will be deemed technically capable of assisting logistics firms in utilizing designated data platforms and will be considered practical.

Interested third-party logistics service providers can select relevant solutions from the whitelist and apply for funding under the Acceleration Scheme to subscribe to or adopt them.