The world's first methanol dual-fuel roll-on/roll-off vessel, CM HONG KONG, has successfully completed its inaugural green methanol bunkering operation in Hong Kong. This event marks a significant milestone in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's efforts to develop into an international center for green marine fuel bunkering.
The operation, held on March 5, 2026, at anchor, was a collaborative effort among China Merchants Group (CMG), China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec Group), and China International Marine Containers Group (CIMC). It aligns with the region's 'Dual Carbon' goals and Hong Kong's Action Blueprint for Green Marine Fuel Bunkering.
The ceremony, themed 'RIDING THE TIDE, GREENING THE FUTURE,' took place at the Legislative Council Complex. Key government figures, including the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mable Chan, and the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Diane Wong, were present, alongside representatives from the shipping, energy, and financial sectors.
During the event, the first injection of green methanol into CM HONG KONG was broadcast live, showcasing the internationally certified green attribute certificate. The ship-to-ship transfer involved approximately 500 tonnes of green methanol, expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 85% compared to conventional marine fuels. The methanol was produced by CIMC Enric and certified by ISCC EU.
Sinopec (Hong Kong) facilitated the operation through its professional bunkering service system, with CMES applying the fuel as the shipowner. This operation highlights a closed-loop green methanol value chain, encompassing production, storage, shipping, bunkering, and application.
The initiative is part of a Strategic Cooperation Agreement signed in November 2025 to establish a Hong Kong Green Methanol Bunkering Centre. The parties involved leveraged their strengths in ocean shipping, oil and gas, green fuel storage-transport-sales, and energy equipment manufacturing to ensure a smooth implementation.
Government departments, including the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Marine Department, provided comprehensive support in policy guidance and safety oversight, ensuring the operation's success. This inaugural bunkering serves as both a technical demonstration and a step towards establishing a green marine fuel bunkering ecosystem in Hong Kong.
The operation verifies the technical feasibility and commercial viability of green methanol bunkering in Hong Kong, showcasing a collaborative approach between government and enterprises. It aims to attract more green vessels to Hong Kong and encourage the use of green marine fuels among Hong Kong-registered vessels, targeting a 7% usage by 2030.
The organizations involved in the operation plan to deepen their cooperation to promote the industrialization and regularization of green methanol supply in Hong Kong. Their efforts will support the establishment of a comprehensive ecosystem covering production, storage, shipping, bunkering, trading, and financial services, positioning Hong Kong as a leading green maritime fuel bunkering and trading center in the Asia-Pacific region.