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

Maritime technology solutions provider ZeroNorth on Tuesday (4 August) introduced Propel by ZeroNorth, a new agentic AI partner for maritime operations. 

Propel uses AI agents to take action on repetitive manual tasks in operations, freeing operators to focus on decisions that require their judgement.

The launch comes as shipping faces growing operational complexity from geopolitical disruption, regulatory change and volatile fuel prices. Operators coordinate decisions across multiple vessels and disconnected systems, and better coordination can compound into meaningful time and fuel savings across a fleet.

At the same time, agentic AI is now making it possible for software to move beyond insight and recommendation. It can understand intent, respond to changing conditions and help carry out work across complex operational processes. Propel is designed to do exactly that.

Today, Propel takes on repetitive manual tasks related to voyage optimisation that were previously handled by operators. It generates a voyage plan, manages the communication with the master, incorporates feedback into the plan and updates it, while keeping the operator in the loop throughout.

It is always on duty and responds as conditions change, helping operators act sooner on voyage opportunities while saving hours of manual coordination across organisations’ operations teams and fleets.

The voyage optimisation agent has been in use by ZeroNorth’s Professional Services team over the past three months and ZeroNorth is now giving early-access to key customers Cargill, Ultrabulk and CMB.TECH.

New agents will be released on an ongoing basis. ZeroNorth is testing each new capability with its partners so Propel is shaped by real operational conditions across different shipping segments from the start. Propel will ultimately operate across voyage, vessel and fuel workflows, monitoring operations continuously, and handling actions within the boundaries operators define. Wider commercial availability is planned for later in 2026.

Søren Andersen, CEO of ZeroNorth, said: “Our ambition with Propel is to help change the way shipping works by changing what technology can do inside maritime operations. There is immense potential to move towards operations that are more connected, continuous and precise, where technology takes on more of the coordination work and people can focus their judgement where it creates the greatest value.”

“Cargill, Ultrabulk and CMB.TECH were among our very first customers and helped build ZeroNorth from the beginning. Now, they are partnering with us again to shape what comes next for shipping. Their experience will be invaluable in ensuring that Propel is grounded in the realities of the industry today, while helping transform how maritime operations work tomorrow.”

Photo credit: ZeroNorth
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