The Hong Kong government had just promulgated the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering, which includes the development of essential infrastructure, encourages ports to reduce carbon emissions as well as provides incentives for using green maritime fuels, according to Acting Chief Executive, Chan Kwok-ki.
In order to underpin the aspiration of transforming Hong Kong into a green maritime fuel bunkering centre, the Action Plan also underscores collaboration with ports in the Greater Bay Area, as well as collaboration with other ports in the development of a green shipping corridor.
The government on November 8 gazetted the shipping legislation (use of fuels and miscellaneous amendments) ordinance 2024 (commencement) notice to appoint January 10, 2025, as the day on which the shipping legislation (use of fuels and miscellaneous amendments) ordinance 2024 (the ordinance) shall come into effect.
The Ordinance was enacted by the Legislative Council earlier, which was a critical step in developing Hong Kong into a green maritime fuel bunkering centre.
It aims to allow vessels to use more environmentally friendly new fuels in Hong Kong waters under existing legislation in addition to traditional petroleum fuels, and to incorporate into the legislation additional safety and environmental considerations in relation to the use of such fuels.
The annual highlight of the Hong Kong maritime and port industry, Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024 (HKMW 2024), held its grand opening ceremony on November 18, according to Brand Hong Kong, a government program managed by the HKSAR Government.
Riding on the theme Navigating to a Greener Future, HKMW 2024 is showcasing the strong commitment of Hong Kong’s maritime industry in sailing towards sustainable shipping and consolidating Hong Kong’s status as an international maritime centre.
The chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB) and the secretary for transport and logistics, Lam Sai-hung, followed with a speech.
He said, “The global maritime sector is undergoing profound transformation in recent years, driven by digitalisation, decarbonisation, geopolitical and trade dynamics. The global maritime community is responding flexibly and effectively to the forces of change.”
He added that enhancing Hong Kong’s role as a maritime “super-connector” has always been the government’s priority, and this is one of the purposes of HKMW.
The programme of HKMW this year has seen even stronger connections with the international community, with the International Chamber of Shipping staging a two-day Global Maritime Trade Summit for the first time in Hong Kong.
Government officials from around the world are expected to gather in Hong Kong to conduct dialogues on issues affecting the international maritime community.
