Hong Kong Sees First LNG Ship-to-Ship Bunkering for Very Large Crude Carrier

In a significant development for Hong Kong's maritime industry, CNOOC (Shenzhen) International Marine Clean Energy, a subsidiary of Chinese state-owned oil and gas giant CNOOC, and CLPe, a wholly owned subsidiary of CLP Holdings, have completed the port's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship-to-ship bunkering operation. The bunkering took place for a very large crude carrier (VLCC), underscoring Hong Kong's growing capabilities in supporting the shipping industry's transition towards cleaner, lower-emission fuels. This milestone aligns with the port's efforts to promote the adoption of LNG as a marine fuel and reduce the environmental impact of shipping operations. 'This successful LNG bunkering operation is an important step forward in establishing Hong Kong as a regional LNG bunkering hub,' said Dominic Lai, Managing Director of CLPe. 'It demonstrates our commitment to supporting the shipping industry's decarbonization efforts and enhancing Hong Kong's position as a leading international maritime center.' The operation was carried out safely and efficiently, with the CNOOC and CLPe teams closely coordinating to ensure a seamless process. This achievement highlights Hong Kong's growing expertise and infrastructure in facilitating the adoption of LNG as a cleaner alternative to traditional marine fuels. As the shipping industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, the successful completion of this LNG bunkering operation in Hong Kong is a significant development that could pave the way for more widespread use of the fuel in the region. Maritime industry stakeholders will be closely watching to see if this marks the beginning of a broader shift towards LNG bunkering in one of the world's busiest ports.