HONG KONG’S Wah Kwong Maritime Transport and UK-based, ship-charging facility developer NatPower Marine have launched a joint venture to build electric shore power infrastructure across major Asian ports.

The new company, Wah Kwong NatPower Holdings, will develop grid-connected charging systems that allow vessels to switch off fossil-fuel engines while docked and charge batteries for propulsion using low-emission electricity.

The initiative targets high-traffic ferry terminals, container ports and the growing cruise market.

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

The move comes after the family-owned company set up a new subsidiary, Venture Energy, in June to focus on trading clean bunker fuels, with the aim of supplying greener methanol next year.

The shore power partnership aims to deploy infrastructure for the technology at more than 30 ports by 2030, creating what the companies describe as Asia’s first international clean charging corridor for ships.

“Asia’s ports are the backbone of global trade and now they are becoming the frontlines of climate action,” said NatPower Marine UK chief executive Stefano Sommadossi.

Operating under a charge point operator model, the joint venture will fully fund, build and manage the infrastructure without requiring upfront investment from port authorities.

Each site will include shoreside substations, battery energy storage and smart grid interfaces to support both cold ironing and vessel propulsion charging.

The venture plans to launch its first projects in 2026, starting in Hong Kong, with expansion planned across Greater China and North Asian markets.

NatPower Marine is separately targeting 120 electrified port locations by 2030, supporting maritime sector compliance with tightening emission rules from the International Maritime Organization.