Maritime and Aviation Internship Scheme (Maritime) – Visit to the Pacific Basin Shipping Limited and Government Dockyard
August 2026
The Maritime and Aviation Internship Scheme (Maritime)(“MAIS”) under the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund aims to offer young generation an opportunity to have an early exposure to the wide spectrum of career opportunities in the maritime sectors so as to encourage them to join the sector after graduation through providing subsidy to maritime companies to offer internship places and organizing visits. This year, visits to the Pacific Basin Shipping Limited and the Government Dockyard were arranged on 4 and 11 August respectively for interns participating in the MAIS, to deepen their understanding about the maritime infrastructure in Hong Kong and the international shipping industry.
4 August 2026 | Visit to the Pacific Basin Shipping Limited
On that day, over 30 interns visited the Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, located in Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong to learn about the operations of a modern shipping company, including the diverse career opportunities in the industry and how digitalisation and artificial intelligence are driving industry transformation. At the beginning, representatives of the company introduced how the shipping market works, as well as the sustainability issues, global challenges, strategic transformation and future trends facing the industry. The interns also got to hear about the common types of marine insurance through case studies, helping them understand the important role of different types of insurance play in shipping risk management. Representatives from the chartering department then explained how the ship chartering market and its ecosystem operate, and how chartering serves as a vital bridge between cargo owners and shipowners. Operations representatives gave a detailed account of how shipping operations staff balance safety, cost control, customer service and commercial interests. The digitalisation team then showed how technology is changing this centuries-old traditional industry. Finally, a fleet personnel representative and a serving female Second Officer shared insights into seafarer career development, rank structure and manpower requirements, and their own experiences working onboard.
The visit gave intern a comprehensive understanding of how a modern shipping company operates and prompted them to consider how they can seize future career opportunities and contribute to the future of Hong Kong and international shipping industry while digitalisation and globalization are reshaping the industry.
11 August 2026 | Visit to the Government Dockyard
On that day, over 30 interns visited the Government Dockyard located at Stonecutters Island. Occupying more than 98 Hectares, the dockyard is responsible for maintaining and repairing over 989 government vessels from 13 government departments. Representatives from the Marine Department, including a Senior Marine Officer, an Assistant Surveyor of Ships and an Assistant Ship Inspector, gave a lively and down-to-earth briefing on the daily vessel maintenance routines and personal experiences onboard. The atmosphere was relaxed, with plenty of laughter, and the interns listened with keen interest. Through the exchange, they learned about the Marine Department’s wide range of work and the many professional grades across its divisions, and that career prospects are very broad.
Following the briefing, interns put on safety helmets and were then divided into groups to gain access to the generally restricted working areas, such as the dockyard working zones and the maintenance workshop of the high-speed craft. They then proceeded to the Marine Department Training Centre where they had a hands-on experience in the full-mission vessel simulator and took up the role of “helmsman” in virtual Hong Kong waters. Several interns were particularly thrilled by the challenging conditions offered by the simulator, such as heavy rain or low visibility at night, which closely resembled actual seagoing conditions and simulated the impact of the vessel rocking with the waves. The immersive experience was so realistic that some interns jokingly said they experienced mild “seasickness”.
The visit not only greatly benefited the interns, but also completely changed their previous impressions of the maritime industry. They realised that shipping is not limited to navigating vessels. It also extensively integrates multiple professions such as engineering, repair, maintenance and ship management, making it a diverse field with significant development potential.
Intern Feedback:
“It was an amazing simulator experience, and now I understand the responsibilities and challenges faced by seafarers.”
“The sharing session by Pacific Basin Shipping revealed the immense potential of the shipping industry and the opportunities available.”
“These activities not only increased my knowledge, but also boosted my confidence in pursuing a career in the maritime sector.”
Through these visits, the interns have gained a clearer vision of Hong Kong’s port infrastructure and global shipping operations, thus helping them plan their careers and prepare to join the maritime industry.
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