London / Hong Kong – 4 September 2025 – In a transformative step for maritime decarbonisation in Asia, NatPower Marine, the UK-based developer of clean port infrastructure, and Wah Kwong Maritime Transport, one of Asia’s most established shipping companies, have announced the formation of WK NatPower Holdings — a joint venture company that will develop and operate Asia’s first large-scale, dedicated zero-emission port power infrastructure network.
The venture will focus on deploying grid-connected electricity systems to supply clean shore power for vessels at berth, allowing ships to switch off their auxiliary diesel engines and plug into local renewable power — a process known as cold ironing. The initiative also includes infrastructure to support electric vessel propulsion, positioning ports as key enablers of deep maritime decarbonisation.
This initiative brings together NatPower Marine’s expertise in clean port electrification infrastructure with Wah Kwong’s deep operational experience in shipping. It represents a major milestone in Asia’s maritime energy transition and builds on both companies’ respective strategies to lead in the decarbonisation of the shipping and port sectors.
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A Vision to Electrify 120 Ports
The joint venture is part of a wider global strategy by NatPower Marine, which aims to enable £10 billion in investment globally to electrify up to 120 ports, providing cold ironing and electric charging solutions to the maritime sector.
NatPower Marine is already delivering similar infrastructure in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it is investing £100 million to develop shore power solutions in partnership with Peel Ports Group and other terminal operators. A further £250 million is committed to UK shore power projects in total.
WK NatPower will follow a similar development model in Asia, targeting high-traffic ports, container terminals, and ferry routes, with a particular focus on Hong Kong and Greater China in the early stages. The model includes the deployment of grid-connected power systems, shore-side substations, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and smart grid interfaces to manage electrical loads for vessel charging — both for cold ironing and for direct electric propulsion.
Strategic Intent and Technical Capability
Hing Chao, Executive Chairman, Wah Kwong Maritime Transport, stated:
“As part of the wider Wah Kwong Group strategy, we continue to form new ventures delivering diversified decarbonisation solutions to address industry needs. This partnership brings the industrial logic, financial backing, and technical certainty that the region has long anticipated in marine electrification. It allows Wah Kwong to apply its longstanding expertise in maritime operations while expanding into a vital new segment of clean port infrastructure. With WK NatPower, we are helping to ensure that Asia’s ports — the backbone of global trade — become the frontlines of climate action.”
Stefano D.M. Sommadossi, CEO, NatPower Marine UK; Joint Director, WK NatPower Holdings, added:
“Asia’s ports handle a significant portion of the world’s trade volume, and their environmental impact is correspondingly large. The creation of WK NatPower Holdings allows us to directly support the energy transition of these critical logistics hubs. Our partnership with Wah Kwong gives us the operational reach, maritime insight, and regional credibility to deploy the infrastructure needed to deliver zero-emission shipping at scale. From Liverpool to Hong Kong and beyond, this network will allow global shipping to plug in, convert to sustainable electric fuel, and decarbonise without compromise — accelerating the industry’s path to a net-zero future.”
Fabrizio Zago, Founder & Group CEO, NatPower; CEO, NatPower Marine Global, commented:
“We are applying our deep energy infrastructure experience to accelerate the maritime transition. This joint venture is about building the systems — powered by renewables — that will enable the global shipping sector to decarbonise faster. Ports and vessels require reliable, scalable, and cost-effective alternatives to fossil fuels, and our strategy is to provide exactly that — through shore power, electric propulsion infrastructure, and integrated energy management systems. WK NatPower represents a significant step forward in aligning global energy transition goals with maritime realities.”
Greg McMillan, Director, WK NatPower Holdings, added:
“After the successful setup of Venture Energy in June this year, the formation of WK NatPower Holdings is a strategic milestone in Wah Kwong’s partnership roadmap. By combining our deep shipping expertise with NatPower Marine’s shore power development and clean energy capability, we are taking another step toward building a greener, commercially viable maritime future for the region.”
Project Scope and Delivery Model: Privately Funded, Publicly Beneficial
WK NatPower Holdings will operate under a Charge Point Operator (CPO) model, which ensures that all capital expenditure is financed and delivered by the joint venture. This approach reduces the burden on port authorities, removes delays associated with public procurement, and accelerates time-to-market for clean energy infrastructure.
The infrastructure to be delivered at each site includes:
- High-voltage grid connections and substations
- Shore-to-ship power distribution systems
- Battery energy storage systems (BESS)
- Integrated smart grid technologies
- Compatibility with cold ironing and vessel propulsion charging
This model mirrors the approach NatPower Marine is already implementing in Europe. In the UK, the company is electrifying terminals along the Irish Sea, supporting over 3,000 vessel movements annually with shore power capabilities.
The venture targets the launch of its first projects in 2026, initially focusing on high-traffic ferry terminals and container ports in Hong Kong and across North Asia. By 2030, WK NatPower plans to deploy infrastructure at over 30 ports in Asia, creating the foundation of a clean maritime corridor for regional and international shipping.
Local Focus: Starting in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has been chosen as the initial launch site, reflecting both its global port status and the urgent need for decarbonisation of port emissions in the region. WK NatPower’s headquarters will be based in Hong Kong, from where it will coordinate regional infrastructure development across Asia.
Vincent Ni, General Manager of WK NatPower Holdings, stated:
“WK NatPower’s mission is to deliver green electricity to ships — both at berth for cold ironing and for propulsion — through the development and operation of comprehensive maritime electrification infrastructure. Based in Hong Kong, one of the world’s busiest ports, one of our initial priorities is to make a direct and lasting environmental impact locally. By deploying clean shore power infrastructure, we can improve air quality for residents, help shipping operators meet compliance obligations, and enhance the overall competitiveness of the port.”
Aligning with Global and Regional Emissions Regulations
The establishment of WK NatPower is timely. The shipping sector is under mounting regulatory pressure to reduce emissions in line with:
- The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII)
- Expanding Emission Control Areas (ECAs) in Asia and globally
- National and regional decarbonisation targets, including Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050
By enabling ships to switch off their engines while docked and rely on renewable electricity from the grid, the JV provides a clear path for compliance with emerging environmental regulations and significantly reduces NOx, SOx, CO₂, and particulate matter near population centres.
About Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Limited
Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Limited is a privately owned, Hong Kong-based shipping group with a diversified global fleet and business lines across:
- Ship owning
- Third-party ship management
- Dry bulk operating
- Energy ventures
Founded in 1952 by T.Y. Chao, Wah Kwong has played a central role in the evolution of Hong Kong’s maritime sector and is currently led by the third generation of the Chao family.
With a global footprint and operational offices in Shenzhen, London, and Genoa, Wah Kwong is also a technology leader, engaged in several pioneering decarbonisation projects, including:
- The technical management of China’s first LNG bunkering vessel
- The development of green methanol-fuelled bunkering ships
- Strategic investments under its Venture Energy platform, focused on alternative fuels and clean propulsion
Through WK NatPower Holdings, Wah Kwong expands its decarbonisation portfolio into shore-side electrification, complementing its clean fuel and ship design initiatives.
About NatPower Marine
NatPower Marine is a subsidiary of the NatPower Group, an international energy transition developer headquartered in Luxembourg. The company is currently developing the largest independent global network of ship charging facilities, supplying clean electricity for both vessel propulsion and cold ironing at berth, at anchor, and offshore.
NatPower Marine delivers full end-to-end infrastructure for the maritime sector, including project finance, permitting, energy systems integration, and operations. It is active in the UK, Ireland, Italy, and now Asia, and is central to NatPower Group’s vision of delivering energy transition solutions across global supply chains.
Notable projects include:
- A £100 million investment in electrifying terminals in the UK and Ireland
- A £250 million UK-wide shore power infrastructure programme
- Integration with NatPower H, the world’s first international green hydrogen refuelling network for marinas and recreational boating
The NatPower Group currently manages a pipeline of over 30 GW in clean energy projects, including solar, wind, hydrogen, and battery storage, across Europe, North America, Central Asia, and East Asia.
About WK NatPower Holdings
WK NatPower Holdings is a Hong Kong-based joint venture between Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Limited and NatPower Marine. The company’s mission is to develop, finance, construct, and operate zero-emission electrification infrastructure at ports across Asia.
The venture leverages Wah Kwong’s deep maritime experience and NatPower’s global clean energy infrastructure expertise to create a scalable model for the electrification of port and shipping operations — helping shipowners, operators, and port authorities meet emissions targets and reduce fuel costs while improving local environmental conditions.
Source NatPower | Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Limited