On March 5, 2026, Hong Kong achieved its first ship-to-ship green methanol bunkering at anchorage, delivering 500 tonnes of ISCC EU-certified fuel from the Wah Kwong-managed Da Qing 268 to the Ro-Ro vessel Gangrong. This landmark operation, a collaboration between China Merchants, Sinopec, and CIMC Enric, validates a complete “well-to-wake” green fuel chain. The milestone directly supports the Hong Kong Green Bunkering Action Plan, targeting a 7% green fuel share for the city’s fleet by 2030.
HONG KONG S.A.R. | March 6, 2026 – In a move signaling a seismic shift for the Asia-Pacific maritime landscape, Hong Kong has successfully executed its first-ever ship-to-ship (STS) green methanol bunkering operation at an open anchorage. This landmark event, featuring the Wah Kwong-managed Da Qing 268 and the dual-fuel Ro-Ro vessel Gangrong (also known as CM Hong Kong), represents the first time such a maneuver has been completed in Nations waters.
The delivery of approximately 500 tonnes of ISCC EU-certified green methanol serves as the definitive technical verification for a new, low-carbon maritime value chain. It validates the commercial viability of a “well-to-wake” ecosystem, encompassing production, storage, and end-use, born from a high-stakes collaboration between the HKSAR Government and industry titans China Merchants Group, Sinopec Group, and CIMC Enric.
The “First Drop”: A Symphony of Industry Giants
The mission, themed “A New Journey for a Green Journey,” was commemorated at the Legislative Council Complex. Attended by a “who’s who” of leadership, including Ms. Chan Mei-po (Secretary for Transport and Logistics) and Mr. Wong Sai Fa (Director of Marine), the ceremony featured a real-time broadcast of the “first drop” being injected into the Gangrong.
This operation was a live demonstration of a closed-loop ecosystem. Under the Hong Kong Green Bunkering Action Plan, the government provided streamlined approvals and safety guidance through the Marine Department and Customs and Excise to ensure the anchorage operation met rigorous international standards.
A Unified Ecosystem: The Value Chain Consortium
The success of this landmark operation was underpinned by a strategic “well-to-wake” partnership between government bodies and industry leaders. By aligning the interests of the public and private sectors, the project demonstrated a seamless “Production-Storage-Transportation-Refueling-Use” ecosystem:
| Entity | Role in the Value Chain | Strategic Contribution |
| HKSAR Government | Regulatory Framework | Provided end-to-end support via the Marine Department and Customs and Excise under the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering. |
| CIMC Enric | Production & Supply | Manufactured and supplied the ISCC EU-certified green methanol from its high-capacity facility in Zhanjiang. |
| Sinopec (HK) | Logistics & Refueling | Deployed its professional bunkering service network to manage the complex ship-to-ship (STS) logistics. |
| Wah Kwong | Operational Assurance | Managed the Da Qing 268, providing the technical expertise to ensure safety and precision during the transfer. |
| China Merchants | End-User (Shipowner) | Committed the Gangrong as the receiving vessel, successfully completing the commercial loop for sustainable fuel. |
The Gangrong (CM Hong Kong) & Da Qing 268
The Gangrong represents the pinnacle of sustainable shipping. As a 9,300-CEU (car equivalent unit) Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), owned by China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES). it is equipped with the world’s first MAN S60 methanol dual-fuel main engine, meeting stringent IMO Tier III standards.
Its partner in the operation, the Da Qing 268, is China’s first methanol dual-fuel bunkering vessel. Managed by Wah Kwong Ship Management (Shenzhen), the crew maintained strict controls over cargo management and bunkering performance, drawing on expertise from prior trials in Shenzhen and Zhanjiang.
Environmental Impact: Switching to this batch of green methanol is estimated to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 85% compared to conventional heavy fuel oil.
Strategic Roadmap: The “Hong Kong Plan”
This achievement is the first major milestone of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement signed in November 2025. It aligns with Hong Kong’s aggressive decarbonization targets:
- The 2030 Target: The city aims for 7% of its locally registered fleet to utilize green fuels by 2030.
- Economic Incentives: To catalyze this transition, authorities have proposed port dues concessions and subsidies totaling roughly $34 million for green-powered vessels.
- Normalization: The consortium confirmed this technical demonstration is the precursor to full-scale industrialization. The goal is to establish permanent infrastructure, including specialized warehousing and trade finance clusters.
Scaling for the Future
As the maritime world looks toward the IMO’s 2030 and 2050 targets, Hong Kong has moved from the planning phase to active execution. By building a scalable supply of green methanol, the city is positioning itself to attract the next generation of global green fleets, serving as a critical node in the low-carbon transformation of global shipping.
This is not merely a technical demonstration; it is a pivotal practice in establishing Hong Kong’s green marine fuel ecosystem, with a surge in methanol-fuelled vessel deliveries expected through 2027, Wah Kwong and its partners have placed Hong Kong at the forefront of the global energy transition.
About Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Limited
Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Limited is a family-owned integrated shipping company based in Hong Kong with a global outlook, with offices in Shenzhen, London and Genoa. Established in 1952 by T. Y. Chao and currently managed by the third generation of the Chao family, Wah Kwong owns and operates a diversified fleet of vessels in addition to offering a full range of ship management and marine consultancy services to customers in China, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Wah Kwong currently has four main business streams, ship owning, ship management, dry bulk operating and energy.
Source: Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Limited