HONG KONG has formally completed its inaugural liquefied natural gas ship-to-ship bunkering today, only months after the city announced its ambition to become a hub for green marine fuels.

Kunlun Energy, a gas unit of state giant PetroChina, said an 8,500 cu m LNG bunkering vessel under its operation supplied 2,200 tonnes of cryogenic LNG to Zim Aquamarine (IMO: 9968097), a 7,000 teu containership equipped with dual-fuel propulsion systems able to burn the fuel.

Lloyd’s List understands the bunkering vessel was Xinao Putuo Hao (IMO: 9870628), built by China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Industry in 2022 and featuring two Type-C cargo tanks.

In fact, the vessel had already conducted a bunker operation for another LNG dual-fuel boxship, ZIM Amber (IMO: 9967952), at Hong Kong’s South Cheung Chau anchorage on January 27, but that procedure was considered a trial run.

Kunlun Energy described today’s operation as a “milestone” in developing green fuel bunkering services for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

“PetroChina will accelerate the development of Hong Kong’s LNG bunkering capabilities for international vessels,” said Kunlun Energy chairman Fu Bin. “This will lay a solid foundation for Hong Kong to establish itself as a green marine fuel bunkering centre.”

The bunkering completed on Friday came more than four months ahead of the deadline outlined in the government’s Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering unveiled late last year.

The plan has outlined strategies and targets to develop the Chinese Special Administrative Region into a hub catering to demand for bio-diesel, LNG, green methanol, and even ammonia and hydrogen in the longer term.

An accompanying incentive scheme, including subsidies to bunkering firms, is also being set up to encourage pioneer companies to develop the business.

The mid-term aim is for Hong Kong to supply more than 200,000 tonnes of cleaner fuels annually, including LNG and green methanol, by providing over 60 bunkering services for ocean-going vessels by 2030.

However, some local shipping figures and policy advisers have suggested the government’s plan should be more ambitious, including raising the supply target by 50% to 300,000 tonnes.

Despite a successful start, Hong Kong still lags behind in developing capabilities in this segment, with other large ports in the region, such as Singapore and Shanghai already offering mature LNG bunker services and starting to explore methanol supply.