Hong Kong is accelerating its efforts to become an international green shipping hub.

　　The world's first methanol dual-fuel powered ro-ro ship "Gangrong" recently completed the refueling operation of about 500 tons of green methanol in Hong Kong. This is Hong Kong's first green methanol refueling business, marking a substantial step forward in Hong Kong's development of green shipping, adding a new highlight to the golden sign of the international shipping center.

　　Enhancing Core Competitiveness

　　As the International Maritime Organization promotes a global carbon pricing mechanism, regions such as the EU have included shipping in the carbon emission trading system. Ships using traditional heavy oil will face high carbon taxes, fines, and even be banned from entering major ports. Under the global trend of decarbonization in the shipping industry, ports such as Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Singapore, and Shanghai have taken action to carry out regular operations of green methanol refueling and other businesses.

　　Facing new trends, Hong Kong has shown a firm determination to catch up. At the "Hong Kong Maritime Week 2025" held in November 2025, Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee stated: "Hong Kong will fully develop into a leading center for green marine fuel refueling and a global hub for green marine fuel trade." He emphasized that green transformation is not only an environmental responsibility but also the core driving force to enhance Hong Kong's shipping competitiveness. The SAR government will ensure Hong Kong maintains its lead in this new track through policy support and infrastructure construction.

　　Although not the earliest to start, Hong Kong has once again demonstrated high efficiency and execution in catching up. In November 2024, the Hong Kong SAR government released the "Green Marine Fuel Refueling Action Plan," providing a clear roadmap for industry transformation. Within three months of its promulgation, Hong Kong successfully achieved its first liquefied natural gas refueling.

　　Hong Kong SAR Government Secretary for Transport and Logistics Chan Mei-po stated at the green methanol refueling ceremony of the "Gangrong" ship that Hong Kong has joined the ranks of world shipping center ports for regular operations and refueling of liquefied natural gas and biodiesel. In 2025, Hong Kong conducted 16 liquefied natural gas refuelings and 110 biodiesel refuelings, with the amount of green marine fuel refueling exceeding 220,000 tons.

　　Laying the Foundation with Multiple Approaches

　　The "Gangrong" ship, ordered by China Merchants Group's China Merchants Shipping, is the world's first large car ro-ro ship using a methanol dual-fuel power system, which can achieve over 70% emission reduction using green methanol. This operation was implemented through the "ship-to-ship" method, completed in collaboration with leading enterprises such as CIMC Enric, China Merchants Shipping, and Sinopec (Hong Kong), showcasing Hong Kong's strong ability to integrate industry chain resources.

　　From liquefied natural gas to biodiesel and then to green methanol, Hong Kong is gradually building a green supply network with multiple fuels in parallel, solidifying its position as an international green fuel refueling hub. This achievement is attributed to the comprehensive planning and rapid introduction of a series of policy measures by the Hong Kong SAR government.

　　The "Green Marine Fuel Refueling Action Plan" established five strategic directions and ten specific actions, setting clear phased goals: by 2026, carbon emissions from Hong Kong-registered ships will be reduced by at least 11% compared to 2019; by 2030, carbon emissions at Kwai Tsing Container Terminal will decrease by 30% compared to 2021, and the proportion of green fuel used by Hong Kong-registered ships will reach 7%.

　　To ensure the implementation of the plan, Hong Kong is taking a dual approach in law and incentive mechanisms. In January 2025, the "2024 Shipping Legislation (Fuel Use and Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance" officially came into effect, providing legal support for the use and regulation of green fuels. In June of the same year, the Hong Kong Marine Department launched the "Green Marine Fuel Refueling Reward Scheme," offering a maximum reward of 2 million Hong Kong dollars to enterprises that take the lead in carrying out related businesses. In addition, legislative amendments providing half-tax tax incentives for bulk commodity traders are also underway, aiming to further attract international shipping and trade enterprises to settle.

　　Leveraging Advantages and Exploring Potential

　　In developing green shipping, Hong Kong has multiple advantages. Chan Mei-po stated that the mainland will be the largest production base for global green marine fuel, and enterprises can transport fuel to Hong Kong through different supply chains, with various new power refueling vessels available to serve Hong Kong. Hong Kong can serve as a platform combining different enterprises and suppliers, developing into a green fuel refueling and trade center, reflecting the unique advantage of "backed by the motherland, connecting the world."

　　Hong Kong has already started relevant cooperation with mainland cities. In July 2025, the maritime departments of Shenzhen and Hong Kong cooperated to release the "Shenzhen-Hong Kong Methanol Refueling Operation Safety Inspection Guidelines," achieving interconnection of technical standards and laying a solid foundation for jointly building the Greater Bay Area green shipping corridor.

　　Hong Kong's mature financial system can provide capital support for the green transformation of the shipping industry. The international shipping industry requires huge funds to retrofit ships or build new ones to apply green fuels, and Hong Kong, as a global international financial center, can provide diversified green financial products and services to the industry. The Hong Kong SAR government has clearly stated its expectation for Hong Kong to become the preferred place for industry financing, assisting in the renewal and upgrading of global fleets.

　　Hong Kong's accumulation in the field of high-end maritime services should not be overlooked. As the world's fourth-largest ship registry, the second-largest maritime P&I insurance center, and one of the four major international maritime arbitration centers, Hong Kong has a complete maritime ecosystem. With the establishment of the Maritime Port Development Bureau in July 2025, Hong Kong has become more efficient in resource coordination and policy execution. Combined with the construction of smart ports and the expansion of digital trade channels, Hong Kong is committed to creating a full-chain green shipping ecosystem integrating refueling, trade, financing, and legal services.

　　Hong Kong is heading towards the deep blue sea of green shipping with unprecedented determination and speed. This is not only a positive response to the national "dual carbon" strategy but also an inevitable path for Hong Kong to consolidate and enhance its status as an international shipping center and achieve high-quality development.