Transport Secretary Lam Sai-hung expressed his confidence in Hong Kong’s bunkering facilities surpassing those of neighboring cities. The government recently revealed plans to transform Hong Kong into a top-tier green maritime fuel bunkering center. This initiative includes a goal to transition 55 percent of diesel-fueled vessels to green maritime fuels by 2026.
During an RTHK radio programme, Lam highlighted the increasing demand for green maritime fuel due to the global target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. He emphasized Hong Kong’s competitive edge in the industry, as the city currently ranks seventh among global fuel bunkering ports, surpassing other ports in the Greater Bay Area.
Lam compared green maritime fuel bunkering to introducing a new type of fuel at a gas station, noting that vessels are under pressure to reduce their carbon footprint. He believes that as the use of green maritime fuel becomes more prevalent, it will drive business growth at Hong Kong’s port.
To support the transition to green maritime fuel, the government is exploring the utilization of 11 hectares of land in Tsing Yi for storing green methanol. Additionally, discussions between the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Xia Baolong, and Hong Kong officials in Shenzhen focused on the development of Hong Kong’s ports in various domains.
Xia Baolong emphasized the importance of enhancing Hong Kong’s ports in land, air, and sea. He encouraged the consideration of tax reduction measures to attract more maritime service enterprises to expand their operations in the city. These efforts aim to solidify Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime hub.
In conclusion, Hong Kong’s strategic plans to advance its bunkering facilities and promote the use of green maritime fuel demonstrate the city’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. With the government’s proactive measures and the support of key stakeholders, Hong Kong is poised to lead the way in the maritime industry and set new standards for green fuel usage in the region.
