The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Friday (15 November) promulgated the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering to develop Hong Kong into a top-tier green maritime fuel bunkering centre through five major strategies and 10 actions to achieve the International Maritime Organization’s emission reduction goals.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), in collaboration with the Environment and Ecology Bureau, immediately commenced a feasibility study and proceeded to formulate the Action Plan by taking into account international experiences and the current market developments, as well as in consultation with the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB) and various organisations and players in the industry.

The Action Plan sets out a number of targets, including following the emission reduction target set by the IMO to reach net-zero carbon emissions from international shipping by or around 2050; reducing carbon emissions from Hong Kong-registered ships by at least 11 per cent (compared to 2019) and ensuring that 55 per cent of the diesel-fuelled vessels in the Government fleet switch to using green maritime fuels by 2026; and reducing carbon emissions from the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals by 30 per cent (compared to 2021), as well as ensuring that 7 per cent of Hong Kong-registered ships take up green maritime fuels by 2030.

To achieve the above targets, the Action Plan sets out five green-centric strategies and 10 actions, covering a wide range of areas such as the supply of green maritime fuels, infrastructural support, port emissions reduction, incentive measures, collaboration with the Mainland and overseas, and talent training. 

Among them, the Action Plan proposes that Hong Kong should keep pace with the international development trends and develop the bunkering of multiple green maritime fuels simultaneously, and actively facilitate the conclusion of offtake agreements on green maritime fuels between green maritime fuel bunkering suppliers mainly from the Mainland and shipping companies, so as to establish an effective supply chain of green maritime fuels. 

The Government will support the industry and provide facilitation measures in various areas to promote the overall development of the green maritime fuel bunkering ecosystem.

The Government has also identified a land parcel in Tsing Yi South near the port for green maritime fuel storage and expects to invite expression of interest (EOI) from the industry next year in developing the designated site. 

The Government will also facilitate the conduct of the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship-to-ship bunkering demonstration by the industry within the first half of 2025, and establish the Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering Incentive Scheme to encourage pioneer enterprises to start green maritime fuel bunkering businesses in Hong Kong. 

With the timely implementation of the Action Plan, the Government expects that Hong Kong will provide bunkering services to ocean-going vessels powered by green maritime fuels such as LNG or green methanol for over 60 times a year by 2030, involving over 200 000 tonnes of green maritime fuels.

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said, “This Action Plan fully reflects the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s determination to develop green maritime fuel bunkering, and provides clear and definite directions and action targets for Hong Kong to keep pace with the international trends of green shipping.”

“We will, in accordance with the strategies and actions set out in the Action Plan, continue to work with relevant stakeholders in the industry and actively take forward various action measures, with a view to developing Hong Kong into the most preferred green maritime fuel bunkering and trading centre in the region, thereby contributing to emissions reduction of the maritime industry.”

Note: The full strategies and action measures under the Action Plan can be found here.

Photo credit: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Published: 19 November, 2024