Through a unique fusion of History, Art, and Science (H.A.S), the HKMM creates crossover learning experiences for local, regional, and international audiences.
博物館融匯歷史、藝術及科學知 識，為本地及海內外訪客提供跨 領域的學習體驗。
VISION
The vision of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum (HKMM) is to be the custodian of ocean-related history and heritage in all respects for the Hong Kong community.
MISSION
Our mission is to chronicle, analyse and communicate knowledge about the oceans and their dynamic relationship with the past, present and future of Hong Kong, the mainland of China and the world. We particularly explore shipping, maritime trade, naval activity, maritime-related leisure, arts and culture, and the sustainability of the oceans. Through a unique fusion of history, art, and science, the HKMM creates crossover learning experiences for local, regional, and international audiences. Integral to our mission is to be credible, accessible, and inclusive when connecting with our stakeholder communities.
VALUES
Respect — Showing respect for all, in the delivery of museum services and championing inclusiveness and diversity.
Stewardship — Presenting the maritime heritage and culture of Hong Kong to the public through the professional collection, research, and preservation of artefacts.
Learning — Providing new and lifelong opportunities for scholars, students, families, and the community at large, to gain knowledge.
Innovation — Continually evolving and improving how to engage visitors and interact with audiences via digital technology and other means.
Service — Ensuring a safe and inspirational visitor experience and meeting place.
The Hong Kong Maritime Museum will soon turn twenty.
The museum was incorporated in 2003 and opened its doors at Murray House, Stanley, in 2005 – 600 years after 1405, perhaps the most auspicious year in China’s maritime history, when Zheng He embarked on the first of his seven major voyages of discovery. See more on Zheng He via the QR Code on the next page.
In 2022, we look back 500 years to the completion of the first ever circumnavigation of the world by an expedition that set out under Ferdinand Magellan and was completed by Juan Sebastián Elcano. Given what flowed from this voyage, 1522 is another highly significant year in global maritime history.
Meanwhile 2021-2022 has also been a very auspicious one for the HKMM. Despite being closed for nearly a quarter of a year, the museum experienced a renaissance with a refreshed vision, mission, and values and a plethora of new initiatives that you can read about in this review. Indeed, Professor Joost Schokkenbroek, who arrived at the beginning of the year 2021, has brought a rare level of energy and enthusiasm to the HKMM and I thank him very much for this.
In last year’s review, we reported that we had signed our third major lease agreement, securing the future of the HKMM at Pier 8, until 2031; that we had signed an agreement with the Swire Group Charitable Trust to create a new Marine Discovery Centre; that we were planning a major exhibition to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the HKSAR; and that we were ramping up our educational work at the museum.
We have made great progress on all fronts but none of this would be possible without Government support, for which we are most grateful, and which recognises our contribution to our city, which we summarise as follows:
• Every famous port city has a great Maritime Museum to celebrate its raison d’être. Hong Kong should be no exception.
• Having a healthy and diverse museum ecosystem provides great cultural benefits to the Hong Kong population and attracts visitors and tourists.
• The HKSAR government explicitly wants to make the iconic harbourfront a key destination for local residents and tourists. The HKMM is perfectly located to help ‘bring the people to the harbour and the harbour to the people’.
• Our collection and exhibitions remind people that the ‘Greater Bay Area’ and ‘Belt and Road’ are simply new names for Hong Kong’s timeless maritime and trading links.
• The HKSAR government has set out a series of environmental protection policies, including many in the marine field, to mitigate environmental pollution, support environmental technology and strengthen environmental education — to build a sustainable future for Hong Kong. The Swire Marine Discovery Centre (SMDC) will be closely allied with this effort.
So please, whatever your interest might be – history, art, or science - make the HKMM a regular part of your life. Bring your family and friends to visit our innovative exhibitions, browse our magnificent permanent collections, enjoy a bite at the Museum Café with its terrace and take in our stunning harbour front views.
And please do support your HKMM, a prime example of public-private partnership. All the work we do is for the Hong Kong community, and with more resources we can do so much more. So, if you enjoy this report, please do consider making a donation to our museum via the QR code below. Thank you very much!
Richard Hext Chairman, Hong Kong Maritime Museum Limited
In January 2021, the government confirmed an important increase in the annual subvention granted to the HKMM for the coming five years. As a result of this increased subvention – both for the operational budget and for building maintenance the HKMM is able to offer much more to the people of Hong Kong. Lots of work is being done to improve the quality of the premises. We have also been fortunate to receive extra money via the Job Creation Scheme. Several talented staff have been hired, and in some cases temporary contracts were transformed into permanent ones. Over the past year we have also established good relationships with the Education Bureau and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).
Another crucial aspect of last year’s governmental support was a new 10-year lease agreement — effective from 1 August 2021 — for our premises at Pier 8. Our lease agreement has been extended to 31 July 2031.
GOVERNANCE
Management meets regularly with its Board and Trustees. Also, there are quarterly meetings with the various sub-committees (Collections Committee; Education Committee; Finance Committee; Audit and Risk Committee). Also, more importance has been given to the presence and activities of a Fundraising Committee.
VISITATION
This past year, the HKMM was hit hard again by the Covid emergency, forcing the museum to be closed for a long period (7 January to 24 April 2022). Nevertheless, we are proud to see that with over 66,000 visitors, our visitation has increased dramatically compared to last year. We believe an attractive offering of curatorial and educational programmes, combined with a strong virtual presentations program and drastically improved social media campaign contributed importantly to this success.
CURATORIAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES
The Curatorial Department launched a series of new and successful exhibitions and several well-received talk series. For example, ‘Sailor-Made’ – about maritime elements in fashion, pop culture and beyond in social and cultural aspects; ‘Maritime Crossroads’ – about the importance of the Hong Kong region for six millennia of trade, and maritime interactions between Hong Kong, China, Southeast Asia , Asia, the Arab world and the Western Countries with virtual presentations, lectures and online guided tours accompanying the exhibition. We also worked with the Education Bureau
for providing training sessions to local teachers on new approaches of teaching complementing the new syllabus of Chinese history in the secondary school. For the first time, three travelling exhibitions were taken to Beijing. In addition, Swire’s successful commemorative exhibition ‘Believe in Hong Kong,’ was held in the HKMM between August and November 2021 to help celebrate Swire’s 150th anniversary.
Other highlighted programmes by the Education Department included the Gifted Students Programme, generously supported by the Education Bureau, in which 28 gifted students from secondary schools were accompanied by university students mentors to learn about Maritime History and Curating. The exhibition and a book publication demonstrated the tangible and intangible results of this well recongised signature project.
SWIRE MARINE DISCOVERY CENTRE (SMDC)
Late in 2020, the HKMM and Swire Group Charitable Trust signed an agreement for the construction of the SMDC – consisting of a Learning Centre, Gallery, and a multipurpose theatre with 100-retractable seats. After a programme manager was appointed, an architect firm was hired via a tender process in early 2021. In October 2021, a second tender process was started for the appointment of a contractor. The contract was signed on 16 December 2021 and work started almost immediately thereafter. According to the contract, construction work should be completed by late June 2022 but the completion date of the project has been delayed by approximately six weeks.
FUNDRAISING
A large fundraising campaign was organized for the exhibition ‘Hong Kong’s Maritime Miracle: The Story of Our City since 1945’ – designed to coincide with the celebration of HKSAR’s 25th anniversary in 2022. This campaign was highly successful due to support from The Hong Kong Jockey Club as our principal sponsor, as well as significant donations from a number of leading Hong Kong companies and generous individuals.
The HKMM is working hard to enhance its reputation as a Hong Kong community-based and oriented museum. We aim to raise awareness for the museum, for the quality of its collections and programming, for the outstanding location and the institution’s huge potential. The HKMM must not only serve its long-term loyal supporters from the maritime sector, but also cast its net wider to seek more support from other types of sponsors – on individual and corporate levels. Due to COVID-19, the HKMM had to postpone its annual Fundraising Gala Dinner several times. This event is now scheduled for October 2022.
ANCHOR PLAZA
In 2012, the museum’s Emeritus Chairman, Mr. Anthony Hardy, BBS, acquired an anchor from the largest ship in
the world; Seawise Giant, for our museum with a vision and a proposal to the government for an Anchor Plaza to be constructed in front of the HKMM. This giant anchor once belonged to the largest ship ever to sail the world’s oceans. Measuring nearly half a kilometre in length, Seawise Giant was owned and operated from Hong Kong. This anchor has since then been displayed at a government dockyard whilst we tried to find a suitable home for it to help remind Hong Kong of the city’s great maritime achievements.
In late December 2021, nearly 10 years after its acquisition, this dream could become reality. We were given the opportunity to submit a proposal for the design of the Anchor Plaza adjacent to the HKMM, as part of the Chief Executive’s Community Project campaign. Our plan and proposal was submitted in January 2022 and we are in a strong position to make this wonderful artefact the center-piece of a new and exciting maritime attraction. Watch this space!
FINANCE
In financial terms, the HKMM has significantly improved its performance. In the fiscal year 2021-2022, the deficit was almost eliminated. This has been accomplished through a series of intended and unanticipated developments including our increased government subvention, extra revenues from our travelling exhibitions in Beijing, reduced expenses and more focused fundraising.
CONCLUSION
Despite many challenges (COVID-19, museum closures, minimal tourist traffic to Hong Kong, construction work etc.), the HKMM is in a sound financial state. Moreover, it has worked hard over the past year to further enhance its reputation as an institute of learning and continued to develop into a community-based museum where inclusivity and accessibility remain important themes.
As a result of all these initiatives, we anticipate a very bright future - subject to our precious government support. Our idea of establishing a fusion of history, art and science – basically merging three museums into one – creates a unique offering in Hong Kong. We hope that our museum enhances Hong Kongers’ and tourists’ knowledge about the fascinating historical origins of Hong Kong and provides insights into the educational and societal importance of making the invisible tangible, through marine science.
THOUGH THE MUSEUM WAS CLOSED FOR 107 DAYS IN 2022, THE TEAM HAS BEEN INNOVATIVE IN COMING UP WITH NEW WAYS TO ENGAGE OUR AUDIENCE.
儘管我們曾在2022年休館 107天，但團隊仍致力突破 框框，透過創新的方式與受 眾保持聯繫。
EVENT PREVIEW
活動預覽
HONG KONG’S MARITIME MIRACLE: THE STORY OF OUR CITY SINCE 1945
This new exhibition at the HKMM, will open on 24 June 2022 and explores the contribution of shipping and the maritime sector to the meteoric growth of post-war Hong Kong.
This special exhibition coincides with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR. Organised and curated by the HKMM, Maritime Miracle explores how shipping and maritime developments were key to the reconstruction and growth of the city after the devastation of the Second World War – with a depleted population and a city partly in ruins up to the present day. The story is told through 25 historic exhibits divided over five themes, in combination with art tech, interactive technology, and an immersive movie experience directed by award-winning filmmaker Heiward Mak.
Maritime Miracle contains a few key messages. First, people should be aware of the importance of shipping for our daily lives, as over 90% of our daily needs is transported over water (‘no shipping, no shopping’ in fact). Second, the exhibition tries to emphasize the high level of connectivity between Hong Kong people and the maritime community. Heiward Mak’s movie clips feature Carmen So, a fictive character that explores her - and her family’s - ties with the city’s maritime past and present. Third, Hong Kong’s maritime history is importantly based on people’s resilience and their ‘can-do’ spirit. Moreover, Maritime Miracle will live up to its title, as it emphasizes several miraculous momenta that seem to be so characteristic for the Hong Kong community.
The massive story of 77 years of maritime initiatives, entrepreneurship and international economic and political developments is arranged chronologically. The exhibition comprises five phases: ‘Regeneration (1945-1948)’, ‘Back in Business (1949-1970)’, ‘The High Growth Years (1960s-1980s)’, ‘The Container Changed Everything (1972-present)’, and ‘The Future’. The exhibition concludes with a forward-looking section dedicated to sustainability while celebrating Hong Kong’s spirit of resilience and vitality.
To complement the special exhibition, the HKMM will create the Curiosity Corner to encourage young audiences to review history and explore the a new chapter in the development of the Port of Hong Kong and the shipping industry. Under the theme “loading and unloading”, it highlights two major components –“Containerisation” and the journey “From A Port City to A Smart Port City”. By introducing various multimedia devices into the Curiosity Corner, it aims at stimulating young audiences’ interest in the maritime world and promoting play-to-learn.
Scheduled to open in the autumn of 2022, the SMDC is a new addition to the HKMM. Located by the Central Harbourfront, it will provide the community with the unique opportunity to learn about Hong Kong’s maritime heritage and marine ecology through a pioneering fusion of history, art, and science. Comprising a multipurpose theatre as well as learning spaces, the centre will be a meeting place for green groups, corporates, and schools to engage in dialogues, enable research, nurture young minds and drive solutions about timely issues and challenges pertaining to the “Green Planet, Blue Ocean” concept.
IT WILL PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
TO LEARN
ABOUT HONG KONG’S MARITIME HERITAGE AND MARINE ECOLOGY THROUGH A PIONEERING FUSION OF HISTORY, ART, AND SCIENCE
STEPPING INTO ITS NEW THIRD CHAPTER, THE HKMM BROADENS PERSPECTIVES AND WIDENS NARRATIVES BY LINKING HISTORY, HERITAGE, INDUSTRY WITH THE FUTURE OF OUR OCEANS AND OUR PLANET.
From left to right: 1st row - Cora Lee, Head of Education and Dr. Libby Chan, Chief Curator 2nd row - Linda Woo, Commercial Director, Liz Leung, Head of Marketing and Angie Tse, Head of Development
The fifth wave of the COVID-19 epidemic has been disruptive as Hong Kong went through a turbulent phase caused by the highly transmissible Omicron variant strain in January 2022. Due to these unforeseen circumstances, the HKMM needed to close for more than three months. In order to explore how the HKMM could embrace the new normal, we interviewed each department head and asked them to share their insights about how best to deal with the pandemic.
“Having relevant, engaging and quality exhibitions connected to the hearts of local and international audiences via conscientious, yet lively ways of research, curating and story-telling, is key for the successful visitor experience at museums.”
Ms. Linda Woo – Commercial Director*
“Staying profitable is the only way for a museum to keep its mission alive”.
Ms. Angie Tse - Head of Development*
“We hope to connect more local and overseas likeminded partners to make the HKMM an inclusive and diverse museum for Hong Kong people and visitors worldwide.”
Ms. Cora Lee – Head of Education
“We keep exploring new concepts, partner, ways and means to develop learning programmes that attract, educate and inspire both physical and digital museum visitors.”
Ms. Liz Leung - Head of Marketing*
“We turn challenges into opportunities by going digital and reaching more target audiences in Mainland China and around the world.”
HOW HAS THE HKMM RISEN TO THE CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY COVID-19?
香港海事博物館該如何應對疫情帶來的挑戰？
Libby
When COVID-19 becomes a new norm for our daily lives, we need to act proactively on our exhibitions and programmes, such as having more online exhibitions and creating the post-exhibition life for our shows, and presenting talks and activities simultaneously on live social media such as Facebook etc.
Due to COVID-19 regulations and the closure of the museum for three months, a few major internal events and external activities had to be postponed or cancelled. We moved some of the external events to our museum café instead. In addition, a change of tone for the fundraising efforts from ‘event-based’ to ‘appealbased’ was adopted such as the COVID-19-related appeal.
The Development Department was very grateful for the valuable trust and support from our sponsors, partners, and friends during COVID-19. When we were planning for the Maritime Miracle Exhibition in 2021, our team was deeply touched by the tremendous support from our generous sponsors from different communities in Hong Kong. The “can-do” spirit from everyone at the museum made the HKMM strong and resilient to face the uncertainties and challenges during the pandemic. 疫情期間，幸得贊助方、合作夥伴及博物館之友寄予信 賴，擔當強大後盾，發展部對此深表感激。2021年在 策劃《香江泛洋奇蹟》展覽之時，我們的團隊深受香港 各界善長仁翁的慷慨捐輸所感動。香港海事博物館上下 員工敢於拼搏的精神，令本館在疫情下仍能堅韌自強， 頑抗各種變化及挑戰。
Cora
COVID-19 unexpectedly became a catalyst for promoting the HKMM education programmes internationally. The online launch of the first Japanese lighthouse documentary reached an overseas audience of around 16,000. Other local online webinars co-organised with the Education Bureau, Lingnan University, and primary schools were also a great success.
We believe digital marketing is the most effective and efficient way to reach our target audiences. The strategic social media campaign, museum’s collection video and the Google Arts & Culture platform strengthen the museum’s digital presence and engagement with online communities.
我們相信，數碼市場推廣是接觸目標受眾最快捷有效的 方法。策略得宜的社交媒體企劃、博物館藏品影片，以 及Google Arts & Culture平台，皆有助提升本館的網上 知名度，增加與網上社群的互動。
CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF PREVIEW OF THE HKMM’S UPCOMING PLANS AND INITIATIVES?
可否簡介香港海事博物館接下來有何計劃及舉措？
Libby
We are busy with ‘Hong Kong’s Maritime Miracle’ exhibition and for 2023, focusing on an exciting 9thcentury Tang shipwreck exhibition, which is one of the earliest shipwrecks in the world. We are also working on the implementation of a new plan to revamp the permanent galleries on A-and B-Decks, as well as increasing interactive and art tech elements in the museum displays.
The SMDC and the third chapter of the museum’s development with its blend of history, art, and science creates new opportunities for the museum in terms of sponsorship, education programmes’ partnerships, venue rental and more creative ideas regarding ESG initiatives.
We will work closely with our donors, corporate sponsors, and the various stakeholders in our community to develop ‘win-win’ partnerships to mobilize resources for the museum and enhance the museum’s profile in the region.
Heading up the SMDC for its first launch, the Education Department will first focus on the train-theteachers, train-the-volunteers, and children education programmes, all with a strong focus on marine science. Another ground-breaking educational programme will be to host some Learning in Museum classes for Lingnan University’s Master’s degree programme at the HKMM.
Driving the digital marketing campaign for the SMDC is my top priority for this coming year. The social media campaign features a series of Ocean Facts questions, a corporate video entitled ’The Story of the Ocean’ and an interactive photo sharing competition called ‘Dear Ocean’. We aim to boost audience engagement and public awareness on marine issues.
為太古海洋探知館策劃數碼市場推廣企劃，是我來年 的首要任務。社交媒體方面的企劃涵蓋一系列「海洋小 知識」(Ocean Facts) 問答活動、名為「海洋的故事」 (The Story of the Ocean) 的企業宣傳影片，以及名為 「親愛的海洋」(Dear Ocean) 的互動攝影分享比賽， 藉以加強與受眾的聯繫，增進大眾對海洋事宜的認識。
CURATORIAL 策展工作
During the partial closure of the museum due to the construction of the SMDC and the fifth-wave pandemic in Hong Kong in 2021, the Curatorial Department successfully brought the first travelling exhibition. ‘Setting Sail’; to the Blanc Art Group in Beijing, from our permanent display in A Deck. A new online virtual exhibition on ‘Maritime Crossroads’ was also launched. We continued upgrading our permanent galleries with new exhibit displays, improved lighting, and enhanced the visitor experience with the installation of multiinteractive devices and introduction of innovative arttech experiences for the new special and permanent displays. These improvements are all aimed at bringing even more engaging experiences to our visitors.
This year, while planning the display of the theme of Oceanography for SMDC for A Deck, and the Hong Kong Port story for B Deck, some highlights of the upgrades in C Deck, such ‘The Qianlong Emperor’s Inspection Tour in Jiangnan’ from our permanent collection are now on display in the Traditional Maritime China gallery. These illustrate the naval architecture of our ship models, such as the Eastern Han Funeral Tower Boat, the Jin dynasty Catamaran and the late Qing Cloisonné Dragon Barge exhibited nearby. Meanwhile, to enhance the sense of arrival and the storyline of early Chinese naval architectural technology along the Yellow and the Yangtze Rivers, and its connections to the local maritime story, we are now working on redesigning the C1 area, including additional exhibits and new showcases.
WE CONTINUED UPGRADING OUR PERMANENT GALLERIES WITH NEW EXHIBIT DISPLAYS, IMPROVED LIGHTING, AND ENHANCED THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE WITH THE INSTALLATION OF MULTI-INTERACTIVE DEVICES
SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS
專題展覽
MARITIME CROSSROADS: MILLENIA OF GLOBAL TRADE IN HONG KONG
3 JUNE TO 12 AUGUST 2021
Taking the audience on a journey through time from the Neolithic to the Internet era, the exhibition illustrated the concepts of crossroads, flows, transitions, migration, and settlement through the circulations not only of commodities but also of people, their culture, and their stories that turned Hong Kong into a cosmopolitan city of possibilities and opportunities. Surrounded by the sea and depending on maritime resources, our lives are inseparably connected with the ocean. Our activities at sea, our trading and cross-cultural interactions have deep roots in Hong Kong’s heritage and are still highly relevant today. The ocean not only sustains our lives but has also transformed Hong Kong into a dynamic global port-city for everyone.
SAILOR-MADE: MANIFESTATIONS OF NAUTICAL FASHION IN HONG KONG CULTURE
26 MARCH TO 24 SEPTEMBER 2021
Why does nautical chic matter? And how has this trend shaped our societies and daily lives? The image of the sailor has been widely used to suggest discipline, bravery, loyalty, order, and obedience, but also freespiritedness, flexibility, mobility, and independence with wide visions. This exhibition demonstrated how sailor styles have been adopted, appropriated and reflected in the fashions in the mainstream styles: from the Royal dress code in the United Kingdom back to the 19th century, or major brands of fashion designers in Europe and the US like Coco Chanel in the early 20th century, to the trends of the school uniforms since 1940s onwards in East Asia, or even the late popular culture, such as the animation ‘Sailor Moon’ or the phenomenon of cosplay. Until today, sailors’ dress has shaped much of what we wear.
A talk on the Sailor-Made story supported by the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association was given by their member, Mr. Gary Tsang. The talk introduced the nautical style in fashion and culture, and how the audience could identify sailor-style fashion in their daily life.
Chinese junks played a significant role in maritime transportation in Hong Kong’s early days and facilitated the development of local fisheries. Today, junks have largely withdrawn from major marine transportation, yet they remain as one of Hong Kong’s most important cultural and tourism icons. Using junk models, historical paintings and sketches, rare books, photographs, and postcards, this exhibition introduced the characteristics of Chinese junks in Hong Kong, mirroring the rapid changes of our city. It also illustrated the development of the important yet demolishing Chinese junk building industry in Hong Kong, the Pearl River Delta region and beyond.
This year we have successfully launched two wellreceived lecture series complementing the special exhibitions: the special programme for the ‘Maritime Crossroads’ exhibition, ‘Saturdays with HKMM: Hong Kong Maritime Cultural Salon’ on five consecutive Saturday afternoons to unearth the fascinating 6,000year Hong Kong maritime journey.
2021 marked the 90th anniversary of the Mukden Incident, as well as the 80th anniversary of the start of the Asia-Pacific War, and the dark period of the Fall of Hong Kong and the subsequent Japanese occupation. As a prelude to the upcoming special exhibition entitled ‘Hong Kong’s Maritime Miracle: The Story of Our City since 1945’ which opened in mid-2022, a series of seven talks were organized starting from November 2021. These talks incorporated cross-disciplinary approaches and various perspectives such as war-related historical sites, archives, oral history, medical science, history, visual culture, literature, and film, to reveal more about this neglected Hong Kong history.
Moreover, the HKMM was invited as a speaker at the Hong Kong International Airport Recreation and Community engagement webinar. An online talk on ‘Underwater Archaeology of Hong Kong’ was given by Dr. Libby Chan, Chief Curator of the HKMM, to the staff of the Hong Kong International Airport.
The HKMM also introduced the online talk ‘Behind-theScenes Stories of The Dragon and The Eagle: American Traders in China’ in the lecture series hosted by Paragon Book Gallery in Beijing for the Mainland Chinese audience, given by Dr. Libby Chan. She talked about the wonderful story behind the four-year preparation of this large-scale international exhibition at the HKMM held in December 2018.
The support of several local and overseas donors enabled us to acquire artefacts and expand our collections in 2021-2022. The museum received an important donation of a set of 57 ceramic artefacts from the Hatcher shipwreck collection donated by Madame Jeanne Pix. Mr. Anthony Hardy donated a 19th-century dragon boat painting and 12 watercolour paintings related to port trading. The museum also received 19 pre-Columbian era figurines donated by Mr. Francis Li from the Claire & Francis Heritage Lane.
In addition, we received many donations from the local community, including 24 cassette tapes from the safety library, 171 cargo bottles, maritime publications in Chinese and English, including 114 books, 22 CDs and one map that were donated by Fenwick Shipping Services Limited, Hong Kong. Moreover, Mr. Mark Roberts has donated a watercolour painting of Chinese Junk in Hong Kong waters. Finally, the museum has also acquired an exceptionally large and important oil painting related to piracy in the South China Sea.
The museum proactively enters into external partnerships to facilitate cultural exchange and research opportunities, both locally and internationally.
As part of a long-term collaboration with the Marine Region, Hong Kong Police Force, the HKMM participated in the preservation and display project of a Dai Fei, a motorboat used by smugglers in the 1980s and 1990s.
Invited by and co-organized with the Education Bureau, we have provided two training sessions in June 2021 on how to adapt the special exhibition, ‘Maritime Crossroads: Millennia of Global Trade in Hong Kong’, into the new Junior Secondary Chinese History syllabus and as guided tours to the exhibition.
Several HKMM artefacts have been loaned for display in various exhibitions throughout the city. The exhibition, ‘Atlas of Maritime Buddhism’ organized by the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery of The City University of Hong Kong, displayed a 16th--century ship model from the HKMM collection. The Hong Kong Palace Museum has worked with the HKMM on one of the first permanent exhibitions for their Art Collecting in Hong Kong exhibition and will feature our trade collections in the section about Hong Kong private museums. The Hong Kong Museum of Art has confirmed the loan of two items from the HKMM collection for their exhibition, ‘Shopping in Canton of the 19th-century’ in March 2022.
The HKMM, in collaboration with the Blanc Art Group, brought the first travelling exhibition ‘Setting Sail: From Ancient Maritime Trade to Modern Maritime Shipping’, to the National Foreign Cultural Trade Base (Beijing) from 23 October 2021 to 8 April 2022. The exhibition is divided into three sections, namely “Underwater Archaeology and the Ancient Maritime Trade”, “Finding the way: Navigation and Communication” and “The Voice of Titanic: Safety of Life at Sea”, displaying more than 130 individual exhibits, including ship models, nautical instruments, antique porcelain, trade paintings, and old photographs.
The HKMM has been collaborating with the Asian Civilisations Museum, National Heritage Board of Singapore, and is planning an exhibition of the materials from the Tang Belitung shipwreck in summer 2023. The exhibition will be focusing on the exciting stories of the shipwrecks and ancient maritime trades.
The museum also signed an MoU with the Korea National Maritime Museum in Busan. The Gwangju National Museum of Korea, a branch of the National Museum of Korea, is also working on an MoU with the HKMM.
The Curatorial Department has been actively engaging publications and research service.
With the support from the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund, Transport and Housing Bureau, a booklet of the exhibition Maritime Crossroads: Millennia of Global Trade in Hong Kong has been published to enhance the exhibition experience and record the exhibition. One thousand copies have been produced and distributed free of charge at the HKMM Front Desk, in schools and through marketing campaigns.
An article on the ‘Maritime Crossroads’ exhibition, written by Stephen Chan, Curatorial and Research Assistant, was published in Daguan Monthly, a Chinese classical art publication published in Taiwan.
In addition, supported by the Urban Renewal Fund, a research service was provided for a heritage and community arts project with the Warehouse Teenage Club on ‘Ship Factories and Kaito Ferry in the Southern District’ to explore and promote the local maritime heritage. A report and a leaflet have been published.
Also, the HKMM continued to explore and prepare the oral history project of maritime heritage, with oral history archive components including ‘The Story of Peng Zhou: Activating Local Records’ project funded from the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust, and the Hong Kong Maritime Miracle – Hong Kong Maritime Industry Oral History research project.
The wooden sailing dingy, My Belle, currently on display outside on the ground floor of Pier 8 central, was suffering paint damage and cracking of the hull after five years of outdoor exposure. The museum has engaged a professional ship repairer, Mr. Lau Kin Kan to repair and repaint the hull planking. Many thanks to Mr. Nick Colfer, former owner and donor of My Belle, for his generous help.
Moreover, two oil paintings were sent to professional framing company for glazing with the non-reflective museum-grade acrylic in order to protect them from external damages and harmful pollutants while not to distort the viewing of the artefacts.
THE CURATORIAL DEPARTMENT INTRODUCED VARIOUS INNOVATIVE AND INTERACTIVE APPROACHES AND TRAVELLING EXHIBITIONS TO RECONNECT WITH AUDIENCES UNDER THE IMPACT OF COVID-19.
策展部透過各式創新互動的手法及 巡迴展覽，與在疫情下無法親臨現 場的觀眾重新連繫。
EDUCATION 教學
GIFTED EDUCATION FUND PROGRAMME: MARITIME HISTORY AND CURATING
Supported by the Gifted Education Fund, the Education Department debuted a 6-month advanced learning programme “Maritime History and Curating” for gifted secondary students. The programme is designed to enhance the gifted students’ knowledge of the maritime history, as well as their skills in research, curating and installing exhibitions.
To highlight students’ learning outcomes, the Student Work Exhibition was successfully held. Ten historical ship models created by the students with 3D printing were displayed. The students provided the docent services. A book was published as a documentation of the whole programme demonstrating the students’ enthusiasm and outcome of their hard work.
Funded by Maritime and Aviation Training Fund (MATF), the museum established an online archive site of the ‘STEAM of steam: a technician fixing stuff today creates the science and complex technology of tomorrow’. The archive site is comprised of the text, photos, and video materials from the mini exhibition of 2020-2021, and demonstration, public talk, student workshop, book publication activities organised. With the aims to provide a fun platform for public to learn the steam technology related knowledge with fun.
The museum also continuously co-operated with Google Cultural Institute to provide various online exhibitions, such as looking at the maritime history of Hong Kong as the hub of the trading route and an entrepôt for Mainland China and a transhipment hub
SEEING IN THE DARK: THE STORY OF HONG KONG HARBOUR AND LIGHTHOUSES
Funded by MATF of Transport and Housing Bureau, the HKMM co-organized the programme ‘Seeing in the Dark: Stories of Hong Kong Harbour and Lighthouse’ with the City University of Hong Kong (CityU)Lighthouse Heritage Research and Connections Project (LHRC). The project was one of the awarding projects of the American Library Association (ALA) Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects 2021.
The programme presented the lighthouse memories from various perspectives by showcasing the development of the port of Hong Kong and the stories of lighthouse heritage from the architecture, humanities, art and multi-media perspectives. Activities including exhibitions, seminars, guided tour, book publication, new documentaries making, the first documentary in Japanese version and its online release were organized.
With the museum closed due to construction and social distancing measures, the Marketing Department has rolled out online content to maintain museum’s presence and audience engagement on social media. The campaign made use of content from the museum’s permanent collection, videos, online exhibition on Google Arts & Culture, as well as promoting shop items and the Museum Café. The team is also working on a blog to feature the behind-the-scenes of the construction to drive traffic from social media to the website. In 2021-2022, over 600 posts have been released, resulting in more than 827,000 reach and 86,900 engagements. The posts on the museum’s permanent collection featured pieces such as the Pacifying South China Sea scroll, the set of paintings on porcelain production, and the Alexander Hume painting. These posts were popular on Instagram, resulting in more Likes and Shares than the average posts. Besides that, for the promotion of the special exhibition ‘Hong Kong Maritime Miracle: The Story of Our City since 1945’, the team planned to create a 360-Degree Digital Marketing Strategy to engage the community.
ONLINE SHOP
The team planned to revamp the e-commerce platform of Museum Shop. A more user friendly and interactive e-shop will be launched in 2023. Introducing live streaming and featuring Key Opinion Leaders, to promote museum merchandises, it can improve differentiation of the HKMM from other brands by creating strong associations and memoriesy.
SIGNAGE AND WAYFINDING
The first phase of the Maintenance fund from the Home Affairs Bureau has been approved. The objective is to provide clearer wayfinding for the audiences, capture the footfall around the piers, and present a strong and refreshed visual identity of the museum.
MAINTAINING THE MUSEUM’S PRESENCE AND AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT VIA DIGITALIZATION IS THE KEY FOR SUCCESS.
透過數碼化發展維持本館知名度及 大眾參與度，是我們的致勝關鍵。
FUNDRAISING
籌款
For the special exhibition ‘Hong Kong Maritime Miracle: The Story of Our City since 1945’, the HKMM launched a relatively large-scale fund-raising campaign. The exhibition received generous monetary support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, various shipping companies and from the corporate sector.
The HKMM is working hard to further improve its capacity as a community-based museum. With the generous support of corporations and organisations, we organised three highly successful Family Fun Days, giving the public free access to galleries, and provided fun family activities and learning opportunities for children.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the museum had to postpone its Fundraising Gala Dinner several times. This event is now scheduled for October 2022.
The following reflects grants and donations of HK$10,000 or more to the HKMM during the fiscal year from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.
PATRON
The Hon. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, GBM, GBS, JP
OBJECT GIFTS
Claire & Francis Heritage Lane
Mr. Roy Delbyck
Fenwick Shipping Services Limited, Hong Kong
Mr. Anthony Hardy
Mr. Mark Kelton
Mr. Jason Kong
Mr. Mark Roberts
Madame Jeanne Pix
PRINCIPAL CONTRIBUTOR
The Government of the Hong Kong SAR
GRANTS AND SPONSORSHIPS
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Education Bureau
Home Affairs Bureau
Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board
Lord Wilson Heritage Trust
CORPORATE DONATIONS
China Merchants Energy Shipping Co. Ltd.
Chinese Maritime Transport (HK) Ltd
Clarksons Platou Asia Limited
COSCO Shipping International (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd.
Fairmont Shipping (HK) Ltd.
FIL Asia Holdings Pte. Ltd. (Hong Kong Branch)
Hongkong International Terminals Limited
Interocean Shipping Co Ltd
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Limited
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. – Hong Kong Branch
Keesal, Young & Logan
Koo Kou Ming Charitable Foundation (Valles)
Ocean Network Express (East Asia) Ltd
Orient Overseas Container Line Limited
Pacific Basin Shipping (HK) Ltd.
Santana Shipping Services Limited
Standard Club Asia Ltd.
Sun Hing Shipping Company Limited
Tai Chong Cheang Steamship Co. (HK) Ltd.
Taylor Maritime (HK) Ltd.
Teh-hu Cargocean Management Co. Ltd.
The Tung Foundation
U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau
Unique Shipping (H.K.) Limited
Wah Kwong Maritime Agency Company Limited
Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings Limited
INDIVIDUAL DONATION
Mr. Nicholas Colfer
Mr. Koo Chee Chow David
Mr. Tung Chee Chen
SWIRE MARINE DISCOVERY CENTRE
The Swire Group Charitable Trust
財政可持續性
VENUE HIRE
Fluid social restrictions due to the pandemic restrictions and construction work continued to pose many challenges to the museum. The HKMM was only able to accommodate non-catered events within a shortened time frame in 2021-2022. Besides a limited number of events, the HKMM coordinated two open exhibitions to increase the museum traffic, namely the Swire 150th anniversary exhibition (August to October 2021) and the (later cancelled) HK Arts Festival 50th anniversary immersive art exhibition Laila (initially scheduled for February to April 2022).
The new venues within the new SMDC will not only create more floor space at the museum but also generate synergy with current venues, which will increase flexibility and versatility in the event business in the long run.
With the generous donation from a board member, an upgrade project of audio systems in the event venues and Museum Cafe was initiated, scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2022-2023.
MUSEUM CAFÉ
Located on the rooftop of Pier 8, Museum Café is a unique collaboration between the HKMM and the Nesbitt Centre. A social enterprise, it creates a progressive employment environment for members of society with learning disabilities. The café employs 25 staff, not only providing employment opportunities to those with special needs, but also enabling them to integrate with the local community and expand their work-life experiences.
The pandemic and social distancing measures imposed on restaurants and bars continue to restrict the business. Gradual relaxation of social distancing measures will enable the business to return to normal
MUSEUM SHOP
The Museum Shop is located right outside the entrance of the museum to attract walk-in traffic and for customers looking for an original maritime gift or a tangible memory after their visit to the museum. We are pleased to offer an extensive range of nautical gifts, classic ship models, seafaring souvenirs, silverware, antique ceramics and an extensive range of maritime books.
The HKMM has well-developed operational processes and procedures, including public safety and building management, and policies that govern various aspects of the museum’s operations. The safety of staff and patrons is our highest priority and staff training sessions and practice drills are regularly conducted.
Each year, financial statements for the three legal entities that make up and govern the museum are audited by an independent audit firm. Those of Hong Kong Maritime Museum Limited, the museum’s operating unit, are also made available publicly on our website and in this report.
The governing organisations that oversee the Hong Kong Maritime Museum are:
HONG KONG MARITIME MUSEUM TRUST
The Hong Kong Maritime Museum Trust, a registered charity and controlled by a board of trustees, is the legal owner of all assets of the museum (except office equipment, fixtures, and fittings) and is a policy development body.
HONG KONG MARITIME MUSEUM ENDOWMENT TRUST
The Hong Kong Maritime Museum Endowment Trust is a registered charity that oversees the museum’s treasury function, investments, and disbursements. The Endowment Trust annually contributes to the museum, funds proportional amounts for major exhibitions and seeks to grow the principal amount through fundraising, donor support and other initiatives.
HONG KONG MARITIME MUSEUM LIMITED
The Hong Kong Maritime Museum Limited is a registered limited company under the Companies Ordinance (Cap 32) and a registered charity under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance, for the purpose of managing and operating the museum on a day-to-day basis, including the employment of professional and other staff.
Libby Lai-Pik Chan, Helen Hing-ha Lam, Stephen Kinlong Chan. Maritime Crossroads: Millennia of Global Trade in Hong Kong (Hong Kong, 2021).
陳麗碧、林慶霞、陳建朗著：《帆檣匯港：世貿千年》 (香港，2021)。
Libby Lai-Pik Chan. Activating Local Records: The Story of High Island (Hong Kong, 2022).
陳麗碧著：《糧船灣志‧活地方志》(香港，2022)。
Steve Ching, Ivan Yeung, Cora Lee, eds. Seeing in the Dark: Hong Kong Harbour and Lighthouses (Hong Kong 2021).
景祥祜、楊宏通、李小燕編， 夜航明燈：香港港口與燈 塔 (香港，2021)。
Stephen Davies. The S.T.E.A.M. of Steam – A Revolution in Maritime Trade and Warfare (Hong Kong 2021) .
史提芬. 戴偉思著: 《從蒸汽找STEAM ——海上貿易和 軍事的革命》 (香港，2021)。
Joseph Ting, Cora Lee, Lee Pak Lan, eds. Gifted Education Programme: Maritime History and Curating (Hong Kong, 2022) 丁新豹、李小燕、李白蘭編：《 資優 教育計劃：海事歷史與策展 舟遊亙古》 (香港，2022)。
REPORTS 報告
Helen Hing-ha Lam, Martin Cresswell, “Ship Factories and Kaito Ferry in the Southern District”, Hong Kong in South—The Heritage and Community Art Project. Libby Lai-Pik Chan ed. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Maritime Museum and The Warehouse Teenage Club, 2021. 林慶霞、祁敏鈿：〈南區船廠及街渡〉，《復刻南區計 劃》，陳麗碧編。香港：香港海事博物館、蒲窩青少年 中心，2021。
ARTICLES 文章
Libby Lai-Pik Chan, “Maritime Crossroads: Millennia of Global Trade in Hong Kong”, Orientations, May/June 2021, 92-98.
Stephen Kin-long Chan, “The DNA of the Hong Kong’s maritime culture: an introduction of the exhibition Maritime Crossroads at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Daguan Monthly, July 2021, Vol. 142, 112-117.
Cora Lee, ‘Maritime History and Curating Programme for Gifted Secondary School Students’, Papers of The International Conference on Learning and Teaching 2021, Section 32.3, P.89
Joost C.A. Schokkenbroek and Leon van den Broeke, ‘Economics without ethics? Medical treatment of African slaves aboard Dutch West India Company and private slave ships’, International Journal of Maritime History, Vol. 34, nr. 1 (February 2022), 1-24
Joost C.A. Schokkenbroek, ‘Starting its third chapter: The Hong Kong Maritime Museum fusing history, art, and science’, Drassanes. Journal of the Barcelona Maritime Museum, Nr. 29 (2021), 174-189.
PAMPHLETS 小冊子
Joe Cheung, The Shaping of Hong Kong Coastline and Secret Lives of Marine Fauna, Cora Lee (ed) (Hong Kong, 2021).
張可怡 :《香港海岸與海洋生物的秘密生活》，李小燕編 (香港，2021)。
Helen Hing-ha Lam, “Ship Factories and Kaito Ferry in the Southern District”, Hong Kong in South— The Heritage and Community Art Project. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Maritime Museum and The Warehouse Teenage Club, 2021.
林慶霞：〈南區船廠及街渡〉，《復刻南區計劃》。
香港：香港海事博物館、蒲窩青少年中心，2021。
*The above are the publications of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, except those names of publications mentioned. 除標明出處外，以上為香港海事博物館出版物。
LIST OF ACTIVITIES
本年度活動一覽
Seeing in the Dark: Hong Kong Harbour and Lighthouses Academic Seminar 《夜航明燈: 香港港口與燈塔》 學術論壇
Chat with the Curator 館長傾下計
15-05-2021
15-05-2021
16-05-2021
27-06-2021
02-10-2021
Seeing in the Dark: Hong Kong Harbour and Lighthouses 夜航明燈 - 香港港口與燈塔
International Museum Day 2021 Free Admission Day 國際博物館日 2021 免費開放日
Pacific Basin Free Family Fun Day
太平洋航運免費親子同樂日
Saturdays with HKMM: Hong Kong Maritime Culture Salon: A Giant on Clay Feet. The Rise and Fall of the Dutch East India Company, 1602-1800 相約星期六：香港海事文化沙龍 泥巨人──荷蘭東印度公司的興衰
Saturdays with HKMM: Hong Kong Maritime Culture Salon: The California Trade in Hong Kong in the 19th Century 相約星期六：香港海事文化沙龍 十九世紀的香港的金山貿易
Saturdays with HKMM: Hong Kong Maritime Culture Salon: Underwater Archaeology and Maritime Silk Roads
相約星期六：香港海事文化沙龍 水下考古與海上絲路
Saturdays with HKMM: Hong Kong Maritime Culture Salon: Trading Places: China’s Former Treaty Ports
相約星期六：香港海事文化沙龍 交易場所：中國昔日的通商口岸
Saturdays with HKMM: Hong Kong Maritime Culture Salon: Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong before Second World War 相約星期六：香港海事文化沙龍 戰前香港的少數族裔
Ocean Network Express Family Fun Days
海洋網聯船務親子同樂日
Larry Feign’s The Flower Boat Girl Book Talk 方南理《花艇女孩》分享會
Talk: “Sailor-Made: Manifestations of Nautical Fashion in Hong Kong Culture” 「水手物語：航海時尚風潮」專題講座
Public Talk: Hong Kong Mudflat Ecology – Our blue-blood living fossil 海洋生態講座（一） 香港漁業今昔 – 消失的黃花魚
Public Talk: Hong Kong Fisheries Now and Then – The Demise of Yellow Croaker 海洋生態講座（二） 香港泥灘生態 – 我們的藍血活化石
Eco Tour: Looking for blue-blood living fossil 生態導賞團（一）尋找藍血活化石
Eco Tour: Ma Shi Chau Geology Trip 生態導賞團（二）馬屎洲地質考察
Storytime @HKMM X Choi EE @HKMM講故仔X 菜姨姨
23-10-2021
31-10-2021
28-11-2021
12-12-2021
19-12-2021
30-12-2021
31-12-2021
09-01-2022
23-01-2022
13-02-2022
Setting Sail: Travelling Exhibition to Beijing: From Ancient Maritime Trade to Modern Maritime Shipping 北京巡迴展覽 – 啟航：從古代海上貿易到當代航運 Hong Kong Maritime Week 2021: Free Family Fun Day 香港海運週2021︰免費親子同樂日
“The Fall and Rebirth of the City: Hong Kong during the Japanese Occupation” Talk Series: Image, Imagination and Imaginarium: Remapping World War II Monuments in Greater China 《傾城與重生：香港日據時期系列講座》（一）圖像，想像和想像之所：大中華地區的二戰紀念碑
Book Release and discussion panel “Seeing in the dark: Hong Kong Harbour and Lighthouses” 《夜航明燈: 香港港口與燈塔》專書發布會
“The Fall and Rebirth of the City: Hong Kong during the Japanese Occupation” Talk Series: Places and Traces of War
《傾城與重生：香港日據時期系列講座》（二）：戰爭遺痕 Maritime History and Curating (Student Work Exhibition) 「舟遊亙古」學生作品展覽
“The Fall and Rebirth of the City: Hong Kong during the Japanese Occupation” Talk Series: Free Fall: How Imperial Collapse in both 1942 and 1945 set Southeast Asia Adrift 《傾城與重生：香港日據時期系列講座》（三）自由落體：1942及1945年的帝國瓦解如何引致東南亞飄零 (Online) Lecture and Documentary Screening “Lighthouse Memories: Waglan Island Lighthouse (Japanese) (線上活動) 紀錄片欣賞與座談會:《燈塔記憶: 橫瀾島燈塔 》(日文版)
“The Fall and Rebirth of the City: Hong Kong during the Japanese Occupation” Talk Series: Four Issues on the Military Government of Hong Kong during Japanese Occupation Banknote Printers, Quarantine Ships, the Hong Kong Shrine and the Bacterial Research Institute of Hong Kong 《傾城與重生：香港日據時期系列講座》（四）濁世消磨：日治時期港人的消閒生活
13-03-2022
“The Fall and Rebirth of the City: Hong Kong during the Japanese Occupation” Talk Series: Leisure activities under the Japanese Occupation 《傾城與重生：香港日據時期系列講座》（五）日佔時期香港軍政研究四題 - －以印鈔機、檢疫船、 香港神社、香港細菌研究所為例 HKMM TEAM
