Hong Kong Maritime – In a landmark step towards establishing Hong Kong as a premier bunkering hub for green maritime fuel, the Government unveiled its comprehensive Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering. The plan outlines clear strategies and actions to promote the city’s development into a high-quality, sustainable maritime fuel center, in line with international environmental goals.
At a press conference, Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung provided an in-depth overview of the action plan, highlighting ambitious targets that will guide the city’s maritime sector towards a greener, more sustainable future. These targets include aligning with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) emission reduction goals, which aim for net-zero carbon emissions from international shipping by or around 2050.
The action plan sets a series of pivotal goals for Hong Kong:
- Reduction of carbon emissions from Hong Kong-registered vessels by at least 11% compared to 2019 levels.
- Ensuring 55% of the diesel-fueled vessels in the government fleet transition to green maritime fuels by 2026.
- Achieving a 30% reduction in carbon emissions from the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals, compared to 2021 levels.
- Ensuring that by 2030, 7% of Hong Kong-registered ships are powered by green maritime fuels.
The plan is built around five strategic pillars and 10 specific actions, designed to ensure a progressive, green transformation of Hong Kong’s maritime fuel infrastructure.
Green Maritime Fuel Supply Chain Development
One of the core elements of the action plan is Hong Kong’s commitment to staying at the forefront of international trends in green shipping. The Government aims to develop bunkering capabilities for a variety of green maritime fuels, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) and green methanol, and to foster partnerships between Mainland suppliers and local shipping companies. A key initiative is the facilitation of green fuel offtake agreements, aimed at establishing a robust and effective supply chain for green maritime fuels.
To support these goals, the Government plans to create a green fuel storage facility near the port and expects to invite industry stakeholders to submit expressions of interest for its development in 2025.
Key Initiatives and Industry Support
To help accelerate the transition to green maritime fuels, the Government will introduce several measures, including:
- Facilitating the first LNG ship-to-ship bunkering demonstration within the first half of 2025.
- Establishing a Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering Incentive Scheme to encourage pioneering businesses in the green fuel sector.
By 2030, the Government anticipates that Hong Kong will perform more than 60 green fuel bunkering operations per year, involving over 200,000 tonnes of green maritime fuels. This will include both LNG and green methanol, helping the region meet its long-term sustainability goals.
Secretary Lam emphasized that the action plan is a clear reflection of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s commitment to developing green maritime fuel bunkering. It provides a structured pathway to ensure that Hong Kong keeps pace with global green shipping trends and remains a competitive and environmentally responsible maritime hub.
He concluded, “The action plan reflects our determination to develop green maritime fuel bunkering in Hong Kong and sets out specific actions to make Hong Kong the preferred center for green maritime fuel bunkering and trading in the region.”
Hong Kong Maritime and Bunkering Hub
Hong Kong has long been a key player in the maritime industry, and with the new action plan, it is poised to take on an even more significant role in the green maritime fuel sector. The Government’s strategic initiatives to foster a green fuel infrastructure will not only enhance Hong Kong’s position as a leading bunkering hub but will also contribute to the broader goal of decarbonizing the global shipping industry.
As one of the world’s busiest ports, Hong Kong’s push for green fuel bunkering is a significant step in promoting sustainable practices and reducing carbon emissions in the maritime industry. Through collaboration with stakeholders across the sector, Hong Kong is set to play a pivotal role in advancing the future of green shipping.
Source Hong Kong Maritime and Port