Hong Kong Completes Its First LNG Bunkering Operation

Hong Kong completed its first ship-to-ship LNG Bunkering operation on Friday. This was a milestone for the city as it is developing into a green maritime fuel bunkering hub in the region. The development was a result of strong logistical connectivity and smooth integration of institutional mechanisms.

China’s Kunlun Energy, a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation was the LNG bunker provider when its LNG bunkering vessel supplied 2200 tonnes of ultra-low temperature LNG in Hong Kong waters to ZIM AQUAMARINE, an LNG dual-fuel container ship for its trip to Istanbul, Turkiye.

At the bunkering ceremony, Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government said that the bunkering vessel and the LNG come from Shenzhen while the bunkering occurs in the waters of Hong Kong, reflecting the benefits of Hong Kong and other ports in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The use of low-carbon or net-zero carbon green marine fuels is growing, Chan said, adding that the government published an Action Plan on Green Marine Fuel Bunkering in 2024, responding to the increasing market demand for this fuel.

Fu Bin, Chairman of the Board of Kunlun Energy Co Ltd, said that this is a great step to promote the green transition of the local maritime industry and that it also aligns with the national dual carbon strategy, which supports Hong Kong’s goal to construct a green marine fuel bunkering centre.

References: China Daily, Hong Kong Maritime Hub

Source: Maritime Shipping News