Green Tech Fund approves six projects in fifth round of applications
The Secretariat of the Green Tech Fund (GTF) announced today (December 24) that a total of six projects has been approved in the fifth round of applications, involving a grant of around $24 million. Together with the first four rounds of applications, the GTF has so far approved 39 projects, involving a total grant of around $171 million.
129 applications were received in the fifth round of applications from December 2024 to March 2025. The six research and development (R&D) projects approved in this round of applications cover promoting hydrogen energy technology, turning waste into resources and developing coating technology for non-plastic products. They are:
- Hydrogen energy technology: Development of low-cost proton exchange membrane water electrolysers for producing green hydrogen; development of highly efficient and durable anion exchange membrane water electrolysers to reduce the production cost of green hydrogen; utilisation of active-flow membraneless electrolyser for direct seawater electrolysis for producing green hydrogen;
- Turning waste into resources: Development of an innovative sludge treatment system and utilising the waste generated in the treatment process, for the purpose of enhancingsludge treatment efficiency in sewage treatment works; utilisation of acoustic metamaterials made from recycled plastics in soundproofing and noise mitigation systems for data centres; and
- Non-plastic products: Development of innovative waterborne coating to enhance the barrier properties of the existing plant-based non-plastic tableware to water, heat and oil.
The six approved R&D projects are listed in the Annex. Relevant details are published on the GTF webpage (www.gtf.gov.hk/en/project_information/approved_projects.html). These projects will help promote R&D as well as the application of green technologies in different areas, thereby expediting low-carbon transformation and helping Hong Kong strive towards carbon neutrality.
The GTF Secretariat announced on December 1 that the GTF would be open for the sixth round of applications from December 1, 2025, to February 13, 2026. R&D projects that fall into four areas, namely net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport, and waste reduction, will be accorded priority. The GTF welcomes applications from local public research institutions and R&D centres, as well as local private companies to develop low-carbon and green technologies that cater for the needs of Hong Kong's environment and market. The GTF Secretariat will hold a webinar on January 15, 2026, to introduce the application procedures and priority themes of the GTF. Details about applying for the GTF are available on the GTF website (www.gtf.gov.hk).
Photo source: gtf.gov.hk
Government launches open tender for next tenancy for Kai Tak Cruise Terminal
The Government today (December 24) launched an open tender for the tenancy for operating and managing the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (KTCT) (Tender Reference: TC 1/2025). Tenderers with relevant experience and expertise are welcome to participate.
The KTCT is an infrastructure specifically built for the berthing of mega-size cruise ships and is able to berth simultaneously two mega-size cruise ships with a gross tonnage of up to 220 000 tonnes each. The tenancy agreement with the current terminal operator will expire on May 31, 2028. Considering that international cruises plan their itineraries two years in advance, the Government is now launching the tender for the next tenancy to allow the terminal operator under the new contract to commence arrangements for cruise ship berthing as early as possible.
The selected operator under this tender exercise will operate and manage the KTCT for a term of 10 years. The Government may consider extending the term for a further five years, subject to the operator's satisfactory performance. To ensure that the selected operator possesses relevant operational experience and professional knowledge, tenderers must meet the essential requirements, i.e., at least three consecutive years of experience in operating and managing a cruise terminal facility within the past 10 years counting from the tender closing date, and experience in handling the berthing of cruises with gross tonnage of 160 000 tonnes or above.
A spokesperson for the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) said, "The Action Plan on Development of Cruise Tourism under the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong's Tourism Industry 2.0 states that the Government's vision is to establish Hong Kong as Asia's hub for international cruises. The smooth operation of the KTCT is vital to attracting more cruise ships to berth in Hong Kong and promoting the development of Hong Kong's cruise industry. The Government is also committed to elevating the function of the KTCT as a cruise terminal for all and making good use of the terminal facilities."
Having reviewed the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement with the terminal operator and consulted relevant stakeholders, the Government will make two main adjustments in the next tenancy agreement to boost the appeal and competitiveness of the KTCT:
(1) Consolidating the management of the KTCT
To improve the management of the KTCT and enhance operational efficiency, the operator under the next tenancy agreement will, in addition to handling cruise-related matters, be responsible for managing the public space of the KTCT, including the podium gardens on the second floor and the KTCT Park at the rooftop. The Government earlier received 14 expression of interest submissions from commercial organisations, cultural and creative industries, sports organisations and young entrepreneurs on how to better utilise the space of the KTCT. Most expressed interest in leasing the ancillary commercial area and public space in one go. Private organisations or non-profit-making organisations can rent the public space of the KTCT for organising commercial and other activities, thereby promoting the KTCT for hosting more non-cruise and commercial events during the cruise low season and on days when fewer cruises berth there to better utilise the space at the KTCT.
(2) Introducing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the work of the terminal operator
To strengthen the monitoring of the terminal operator's performance, the Government will introduce the following four KPIs in the next tenancy agreement:
(i) the number of ship calls per year;
(ii) the number of non-cruise related events per year;
(iii) the number of visitors brought by non-cruise related events per year; and
(iv) the occupancy rate of ancillary commercial areas.
Taking into account that the terminal operator requires time to adjust and adapt to the terminal operation, the provisions regarding compensation to the Government arising from the operator's failure to meet the targets will take effect from the third year of the tenancy agreement.
A "two-envelope approach" will be adopted in the tender assessment. A weighting of 70 per cent will be allocated to the assessment of the non-price proposal and 30 per cent to the price proposal. The non-price proposal includes the aforementioned KPIs as well as the execution plan for the operation and management of the KTCT. The tender must comply with the requirements specified in the tender documents. The detailed assessment criteria are set out in the tender documents.
Interested tenderers may download the tender documents from the CSTB's website (www.tourism.gov.hk/en/tender_notice.php) or obtain the tender documents from the Tourism Commission (Address: 11/F, Hong Kong Li-Ning Building, 218 Electric Road, Fortress Hill, Hong Kong) during office hours. Tenderers must deposit the tenders by noon on May 22, 2026 (Friday), in the Government Secretariat Tender Box situated at the Lobby of the Public Entrance on the Ground Floor, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar. Late tenders will not be accepted.
For enquiries, please contact the Tourism Commission by email at ktcttenderenquiry@cstb.gov.hk.
The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (KTCT), Photo source: reference image
