Hong Kong Aims to Become Leading Hub for Green Maritime Fuel and Sustainability

Welcome remarks by STL at Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Clean Energy Supply Chain Conference

Following are the welcome remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Clean Energy Supply Chain Conference today (April 23):

Mr CY Leung (Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Adviser of the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping), Professor Ip (President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Nancy Ip), Mr Hing Chao (Chairman of the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. I am so honoured to join all of you here today at the first Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Clean Energy Supply Chain Conference. I particularly like the theme of the conference because it covers Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao and clean energy, and it's about supply chains. I think the challenge and the opportunity for Hong Kong in the coming years will be surrounded with all these three themes, which is a very important topic for us to not only explore, study, but also to act.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has just recently approved the IMO Net-zero Framework this month, which I think a lot of the experts and professionals joining us today are aware of. This framework establishes the world's first industry-wide greenhouse gas emission limitation and pricing mechanism, with a view to further spurring the industry's efforts to achieve the shipping emission reduction targets as set out in the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG (greenhouse gas) Emissions from Ships. The trend of maritime decarbonisation is now simply unstoppable. Stakeholders in the maritime industry must take decisive actions, and so does the Government, in particular to gradually switch from conventional fuels to low- or even zero-carbon green fuels.

With the growing popularity of green maritime fuels, many ports have been developing green fuel bunkering. While Hong Kong might not be one of the pioneers on this front, we are definitely and rapidly closing the gap. We promulgated the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering in November last year, setting out very clear objectives, including five green-centric strategies and 10 actions. Our ultimate goal is to develop Hong Kong into a green port and a green maritime fuel trading hub. Since then, there have been very successful examples of collaboration in the industry. We have three successful commercial LNG (liquefied natural gas) bunkering operations in our local waters since the first maiden trial operation of LNG bunkering on Valentine's Day this year, and I think this truly reflects the confidence of the shipping industry in Hong Kong's new role as a centre for green maritime fuel bunkering.

The trade of green maritime fuels is currently at its infancy. To break into the new market of green maritime fuel trading, we must first build up a green maritime fuel ecosystem, and gather relevant stakeholders from different parts of the green maritime fuel supply chain, as well as green shipping-related talent in Hong Kong. I think talent-building and nurturing is definitely one of the topical areas that the Government will be pursuing, and I also share the same vision with the Chamber of Shipping, which is also actively pursuing different talent-nurturing programmes in Hong Kong and on the Mainland. The Marine Department has set up a dedicated team to provide one-stop services to green shipping-related organisations interested in starting a business in Hong Kong, and "professionals in green shipping" has also recently been added into the Hong Kong Government's Talent List, so for all those interested in joining this talent list, do let us know your applications and the interested parties so that we can facilitate and assist. In addition, we are actively engaging a number of enterprises from Hong Kong, the Mainland and beyond, including various organisations such as shipping companies, green maritime fuel producers and bunkering operators, as well as gathering information from them on the demand for green maritime fuels by relevant enterprises. This will enable us to build a platform in Hong Kong to facilitate exchanges and co-operation among different enterprises in the supply chain, as well as to match their demand with green fuel producers from the Mainland. Our aim is to form an organic green maritime fuel supply chain in Hong Kong. This is not an easy task, but I think we have the determination to provide a platform and also to provide one-stop services. We are definitely hoping to work with the stakeholders in the industry, in particular the Chamber, with Hing Chao and other members of your Chamber, so as to work out quickly an organic ecosystem in Hong Kong.

I don't know whether any one of you are aware, Hong Kong actually ranked seventh as the world's leading ship fuel bunkering centre. With the staunch support from our country and together with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as other cities and provinces on the Mainland, we aspire to build up a supply chain, in particular on fuel supply, transport and distribution, bunkering operation, technical and academic exchange and manpower training, in order to maintain our position and competitiveness and to better equip ourselves to support our development as an international shipping and maritime centre. Looking ahead, we will shortly promulgate the code of practice on green methanol bunkering by the middle of this year and, I hope, will invite EOIs (expressions of interest) from the market in relation to developing green maritime fuel storage facilities on a Tsing Yi site later this year. So please remember, our expressions of interest exercise will be launched later this year so as to gather the topical, updated market interest in the potential of Hong Kong in the storage of green methanol or even other new fuels.

Apart from continuously enhancing the green maritime fuel ecosystem and collaborative platform, we will vigorously promote the development of green maritime fuel trading in Hong Kong. At present, the trading volume of green marine fuels is relatively small and is primarily conducted directly between fuel producers and users. Notably, there is, so far, no green maritime fuel trading centre in the world. As the trading volume and popularity of green maritime fuels continue to grow, we are on the path to establishing a vibrant trading system in Hong Kong. Hong Kong, as an international financial centre, boasts a mature financial market, a common law-based legal system, and free flow of capital that allows efficient post-transaction settlements. I believe this unique combination positions Hong Kong better than any other cities in the country to become the go-to international platform for the trading of green maritime shipping fuels, and this will also help our country secure a leading position in this emerging trading market.

Green maritime fuel bunkering is only our first step towards green shipping. As an international maritime centre, Hong Kong must evolve into a green port to support and drive the industry's transition towards sustainability. As Mr CY Leung just mentioned, the aspiration towards green and sustainability is not just a policy agenda item of this term of Government but is also of the previous term of the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government. In this connection, I would like to report that the Marine Department has formulated a green-friendly port arrangement to give priority to green fuel-powered vessels to use anchorages. In addition, as stated in our Action Plan, we have set the target of reducing carbon emissions from the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals by 30 per cent by 2030, as compared with 2021. We have been working closely with the port operators to follow up on their green transformation process, as well as encouraging the industry to achieve decarbonisation through port automation and the adoption of more innovative technologies.

Developing a green port is an integral part of Hong Kong in preparing for setting up green shipping corridors with other ports for the rest of the world. Hence, we have been working at full speed to actively pursue the establishment of "Partner Port" relationships with other ports to enhance collaboration in different specific areas. In addition, many green shipping corridors incorporate elements of port digitalisation. Port digialisation and digital systems were also mentioned by Professor Ip just now. Thanks to the Legislative Council, we obtained funding approval just last month and will complete the development of a digital port community system within this year. This will not only help provide the industry with more convenient, accurate, transparent and traceable real-time cargo tracking services, to enhance the competitiveness of the Hong Kong Port amidst the current uncertain trading environment, but it will also connect us with similar systems at other ports on the Mainland as well as the rest of the world for efficient and paperless data transmission.

With green as the background colour of high-quality development, the concept of environmental sustainability remains ever relevant across territories. The HKSAR Government will continue to make every effort to implement the measures set out in our Action Plan, and we will incorporate other related measures into our policy planning as and when needed. And in this process of transformation, we definitely need the expert advice and support from the stakeholders in the shipping and maritime industry. With unswerving overall policy directions as our map, firm action measures as our engine, and clear, ambitious targets as our compass, the Government will play a leading role to lead local enterprises to brave the waves and chart a new course for green shipping.

Ladies and gentlemen, last but not least, I would like to thank the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping, with the leadership of Mr CY Leung and with the vision and staunch efforts and passion of Mr Hing Chao, for supporting the policy direction of the Government and organising this conference, in particular to gather the views and opinions from industry experts to facilitate opinion exchanges. I would also like to take this opportunity to call upon all of you to join us in developing Hong Kong into the premiere high-quality green maritime fuel bunkering centre in the region, promoting our transformation into a green-friendly port, as well as establishing an organic and symbolic green maritime fuel trading centre, so as to make unique "Hong Kong contributions" to our country's development into a maritime superpower.

Thank you all.

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 11), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:

carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and

enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

read the label instructions carefully first;

apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

apply on exposed skin and clothing;

use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

Source: AI-found images