The Government promulgated the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering today to set out clear strategies and actions to promote the development of Hong Kong into a high-quality green maritime fuel bunkering centre.

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung told a press conference this afternoon that the action plan sets out a number of targets, including following the emission reduction target set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to reach net-zero carbon emissions from international shipping by or around 2050.

Other targets include reducing carbon emissions from Hong Kong-registered ships by at least 11 % compared to 2019 and ensuring that 55% 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% compared to 2021 as well as ensuring that 7% of Hong Kong-registered ships take up green maritime fuels by 2030.

To achieve thse targets, the action plan sets out five green-centric strategies and 10 actions.

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.

It has identified a land parcel near the port for green maritime fuel storage and expects to invite expressions of interest from the industry next year in developing the designated site.

The Government will also facilitate conducting 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.

Mr Lam said the 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.

The Government 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, he added.