Hong Kong boosts green fuel shipping

The Marine Department (MD) has launched two three-year schemes offering a port dues incentive for Hong Kong registered green fuelled vessels and subsidies for ships using alternative fuels including hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and LNG.

A spokesman for the MD said: “The new initiative further provides incentives to encourage the industry to adopt green maritime fuels, which are often more expensive than traditional fuels, and to build up demand for green maritime fuel bunkering services in Hong Kong early.”

Bolstering bunkering

The initiatives are backed by approximately HK$34 million in government funding and aim to accelerate green maritime fuel bunkering activity.

Under the Port Dues Incentive Scheme for Green Maritime Fuel-related Vessels, eligible ocean-going vessels powered by or bunkering specified alternative fuels in Hong Kong can apply for reimbursements covering 25% or 50% of port dues paid.

The scheme also applies to vessels transporting green fuels for local supply, supporting wider investment in port infrastructure and fuel supply chains.

These incentives form part of Hong Kong’s Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering issued in November 2024 and are intended to support the IMO’s target of achieving net-zero shipping emissions by around 2050.

Meanwhile, the Green Vessels Registration Incentive Scheme will provide subsidies of up to HK$180,000 per vessel for Hong Kong-registered ships primarily powered by hydrogen, ammonia, methanol or LNG.

Officials estimate the combined measures could attract more than 1,000 green fuel-related vessel visits and around 170 green-powered vessels to the Hong Kong Shipping Registry within three years.