The Hong Kong and China Gas Company (Towngas) on Tuesday (4 August) has called for the Hong Kong government to boost the city’s green methanol bunkering capabilities as part of its first Five-Year Plan covering 2026 to 2030.

The company submitted its recommendations during the government’s public consultation on the plan, proposing measures to support low-carbon shipping in Hong Kong.

Among its key recommendations, Towngas proposes making full use of Hong Kong’s advantages as an international hub by improving port facilities for green methanol bunkering.

The company also urged the government to accelerate the commercialisation of green methanol and take the lead in developing an internationally aligned certification system for green fuels. 

Beyond green methanol, it also proposes establishing a new mechanism for trading green commodities, as well as expanding innovative financial instruments such as green infrastructure REITs, thereby consolidating Hong Kong’s position as a green finance and trading centre.

The recommendations form part of a broader package covering green energy transition, innovation and technology, and green finance, aimed at aligning Hong Kong’s development with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan while supporting the city’s long-term economic and environmental objectives.

Photo credit: Hong Kong and China Gas Company
Published: 5 August, 2026

Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) on Tuesday (4 August) said it will transition to become a programme of the Center for Green Market Activation (GMA) on 1 September, after three years of incubation at the Aspen Institute. 

With two completed tenders that delivered three new ultra-low-carbon fuel pathways into the maritime market and nearly 40 multi-year contracts to date, ZEMBA is focused on its next phase of scaling impact and expanding opportunities for companies to address Scope 3 transportation emissions. 

“We are deeply grateful to the Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program for its leadership and commitment to market-based sustainable solutions,” said Ingrid Irigoyen, President and CEO of ZEMBA. 

“The Institute’s support as an administrative home during our start-up phase was tremendously successful. Now, ZEMBA is ready for the next step in our evolution, which is why we are seizing the opportunity to create multiplier effects and efficiencies across a range of hard-to-abate sectors by joining an organization specifically created for that purpose.” 

ZEMBA’s CEO and core procurement staff will transition to GMA to ensure continuity of program leadership and operations. In addition to having provided key technical support for ZEMBA since 2023, GMA is working to scale the adoption of low-carbon goods and services within a number of high-emitting industries such as aviation, trucking, cement and concrete, and chemicals. 

This transition will enable companies to participate in a coordinated suite of interventions across hard-to-abate sectors and transport modes, supported by shared infrastructure, consistent procurement approaches, and cross-sector learnings. 

ZEMBA is developing new ideas to scale impact, expand fuel and technology pathways, and engage a broader set of stakeholders worldwide. 

During this next phase of ZEMBA’s strategy, it is focused on continuing to drive innovation and economies of scale that enable deep decarbonisation in maritime transport. 

“ZEMBA looks forward to engaging stakeholders across the value chain in the coming months as it charts a course toward a sustainable future for ocean shipping,” it added.

Photo credit: CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
Published: 5 August, 2026

Explora Journeys recently officially named EXPLORA III in Barcelona, welcoming the brand’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered ship to the fleet. 

Following her early delivery in Genoa on 23 July 2026, EXPLORA III embarked on a journey through the Mediterranean before arriving in Barcelona for the official naming ceremony. 

“As the first LNG-powered vessel in the Explora Journeys fleet, EXPLORA III represents the next step in the brand’s investment in advanced marine technologies,” the company said on its website. 

Designed to operate on LNG today, the ship also offers a pathway towards renewable alternatives such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG as these become increasingly available. 

The vessel is equipped with shore power capability, enabling connection to onshore electricity in ports where infrastructure exists, allowing engines to be switched off while alongside.

EXPLORA III departed on 3 August on its seven-night Maiden Journey to Lisbon.

Photo credit: Explora Journeys
Published: 5 August, 2026