Asia’s first large-scale shore power venture

The new joint venture between the two companies, Wah Kwong NatPower Holdings, will develop grid-connected port infrastructure that enables ships to switch off auxiliary engines while berthed and plug into renewable electricity for both cold ironing and vessel charging.

“As part of the wider Wah Kwong Group strategy, we continue to form new ventures delivering diversified decarbonisation solutions to address industry needs,” said Hing Chao, executive chairman of Wah Kwong.

“This venture brings the industrial logic, financial backing and technical certainty the region has been anticipating in marine electrification.”

Maritime transition

The initiative is designed to accelerate Asia’s maritime transition and tackle emissions at some of the world’s busiest ports.

With the first projects due to begin in 2026, the company is targeting the installation of integrated shore power systems at more than 30 ports across North Asia by 2030.

Each site will include substations, battery storage and smart grid interfaces to support clean propulsion and cold ironing.

The move builds on NatPower Marine’s GB£250 million investment in the UK, where it is deploying vessel charging infrastructure along the Irish Sea.

Backed by NatPower Group’s 30 GW pipeline in renewables, the new venture aims to unlock GB£10 billion in global investment to electrify 120 ports worldwide by 2030.

By combining Wah Kwong’s decades of shipping expertise with NatPower’s renewable energy credentials, the new partnership marks a major step in transforming Asia’s ports into clean energy hubs for the global shipping industry.