The Hong Kong Seaport Alliance  has successfully completed Hong Kong’s first simultaneous operations  green methanol bunkering at the COSCO-HIT Terminals , marking a pivotal advancement in the port’s transformation into a green maritime fuel bunkering centre.

The operation featured the COSCO SHIPPING GEMINI, a methanol dual-fuel container vessel with a carrying capacity exceeding 20,000 TEU. The vessel received 200 tonnes of green methanol through a ship-to-ship transfer from a specialised bunker vessel DAQING 268 operated by Chimbusco Pan Nation (CPN). The process was completed within 5 hours.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established a global strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping industry, aiming for net zero emissions in maritime freight by 2050. Green methanol, as a sustainable energy source, can reduce emissions by approximately 90% compared to conventional marine fuels, making it a vital option for promoting decarbonisation in the shipping industry.

The global green methanol market is valued at USD 2.9 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 41.1 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate of 30.4% over the forecast period. Hong Kong is among the world’s top 10 bunkering ports and 22.5% of the ocean‑going vessels visited Hong Kong in 2023 with the primary aim being bunkering.

Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics, said, “This operation demonstrates Hong Kong’s growing capability as a premier green maritime fuel bunkering and trading centre. We will continue to work with industry partners to diversify our energy portfolio and attract a broader network of green fuel suppliers to the city.”

Ivor Chow, Managing Director of Hongkong International Terminals, said, “With shipping lines facing increasingly stringent sustainability requirements, the ability to provide alternative fuelling options has become a key competitive differentiator for ports. Today’s operation positions Hong Kong to support our customers’ decarbonisation commitments.”

Horace Lo, Group Managing Director of Modern Terminals, said, “This initiative underscores Hong Kong’s operational excellence readiness for alternative fuels and reinforces our reputation as an international maritime centre.”

Tao Weidong, Executive Director and General Manager of COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co., Ltd., said, “By investing in methanol-enabled vessels, we are future-proofing our fleet whilst supporting our customers’ sustainability goals. This accomplishment highlights the collective efforts of the industry, particularly COSCO-HIT Terminals for its leadership in facilitating and executing Hong Kong’s first such operation.”

Calvin Chung, Director of CPN, said, “This milestone demonstrates CPN’s expanding alternative fuel capacity beyond marine biofuels to green methanol. By integrating our expertise with a robust partner ecosystem, we are securing Hong Kong’s future as a premier green port.”

With the commitment of the world’s major shipping lines to adopt green methanol as a primary alternative fuel, over 65 large, green methanol-power container ships have already been ordered and are being delivered. It is anticipated that by 2027, nearly 1 million TEU of green methanol capacity will be in operation, amounting to about 2 to 3% of the global container fleet capacity, highlighting the substantial demand for green fuel bunkering services.

This operation reflects the effective collaboration among Hong Kong’s maritime stakeholders, including the Hong Kong SAR Government, shipping lines, terminal operators, and bunkering service providers. HKSPA remains committed to ensuring the Port of Hong Kong is equipped to meet the global shipping industry’s growing demand for green maritime fuels.