Hong Kong is accelerating the build-out of its policy framework for green marine fuels.
On 12 June, the Hong Kong Marine Department announced two three-year green shipping incentive schemes, which took formal effect on 16 June. In parallel, Hong Kong is advancing bunkering metering standards, with plans to require all methanol bunker vessels to use mass flow meter systems within the year.
From reducing in-port costs for ships, to attracting registrations of green-fuel-powered vessels, to improving the accuracy and transparency of bunkering measurement, Hong Kong is positioning itself across the demand, fleet and service sides of the green marine fuel market.
1. Port-fee concessions for vessels related to green marine fuels
The first measure is the Green Marine Fuel-related Vessels Port Fee Concession Scheme.
It targets three categories of ocean-going vessels:
- Vessels powered by designated green marine fuels;
- Vessels bunkering designated green marine fuels in Hong Kong;
- Vessels carrying green marine fuels that are then supplied in Hong Kong.
Eligible fuels include LNG, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, and biodiesel blends containing at least 20% biofuel.
Qualified vessels may apply for a refund of 25% or 50% of port charges paid. Refundable charges include port facilities and light dues, anchorage dues, mooring buoy dues and port clearance permit fees.
Shipowners or their agents must submit applications within three months after the vessel has completed the relevant operations and departed Hong Kong. Once documentation is complete and approved, payment is normally disbursed within 30 working days.
The Hong Kong Marine Department expects the scheme to attract more than 1,000 green-fuel-related vessel calls over its term.
The policy is aimed not only at lowering in-port costs for individual ships, but also at building early demand for Hong Kong's green-fuel bunkering market. Only with steady vessel demand will fuel suppliers, bunker operators and traders have the incentive to establish and expand local operations.
2. HK$60,000 per year for Hong Kong-registered green-fuel-powered vessels
The second measure is the Green Vessel Registration Incentive Scheme.
Vessels already registered, or that will be registered, with the Hong Kong Shipping Registry and powered primarily by green marine fuels may apply for the subsidy.
Eligible propulsion fuels include LNG, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen, but exclude conventional fuels and biofuels.
The scheme runs for three years. Each eligible Hong Kong-registered vessel may receive a subsidy of HK$60,000 per year. Depending on how long the vessel maintains its Hong Kong registration during the scheme period, each vessel may receive up to three years of support, with a cumulative cap of HK$180,000.
The Marine Department estimates that the scheme will attract around 100 newly registered green-fuel-powered vessels to Hong Kong; together with vessels already on the registry, approximately 170 ships are expected to benefit over the three-year period.
Compared with the port-fee concessions, the goal of this scheme is more direct: by lowering the marginal cost of registering and operating green vessels, it seeks to attract more methanol-, ammonia-, hydrogen- and LNG-fuelled ships into the Hong Kong flag.
3. Mandatory mass flow meters for methanol bunkering
Beyond financial incentives, Hong Kong is also strengthening metering and transparency in bunkering services.
On 3 June, the Marine Department launched the Quality Bunker Suppliers Scheme, encouraging operators of conventional marine fuels and biodiesel bunkering services to install and use mass flow meter systems on bunker vessels.
Mass flow meters measure the mass of fuel actually delivered directly, reducing errors that arise from manual tank gauging and conversion, and improving the accuracy and traceability of delivered quantities.
At present, participation is voluntary for conventional fuel and biodiesel suppliers. Bunker vessels that install the relevant equipment and pass inspection certification under ISO 22192 or an equivalent standard may apply to be included in the Marine Department's published list of Quality Bunker Vessels.
For methanol bunker vessels, however, Hong Kong plans to introduce a mandatory requirement within the year: all vessels providing methanol bunkering services in Hong Kong waters will be required to use mass flow meter systems.
This signals that Hong Kong's push for green-fuel bunkering is concerned not only with whether the fuel is available, but also with whether delivered quantities are accurate, operations are properly regulated, and shipowners can obtain trustworthy bunkering data.
Conclusion
Hong Kong's new incentive package sends a clear signal: by lowering port-call and registration costs, it aims to attract green-fuel-related vessels and supply-chain players; at the same time, rules such as mass flow metering are being used to raise the quality of green-fuel bunkering services.
For shipowners, evaluating a port's green-fuel service capability in the future will mean looking beyond fuel price and supply volume to also consider port charges, bunkering efficiency, metering standards, certification systems and data credibility.
As methanol, ammonia and hydrogen gradually enter wider use in shipping, competition between ports will shift further — from "can you supply green fuel?" to "can you supply stable, transparent and efficient green-fuel services?"
Tecway continues to follow the development of green hydrogen and its derivatives across shipping and the energy transition. Working with our clients, we support green-fuel sourcing, project collaboration and application-scenario assessments. If you are exploring green hydrogen, green methanol or green ammonia, or would like to discuss potential project opportunities, you are welcome to contact us.
Sources
- HKSAR Government Press Release: "Government launches two green shipping incentive schemes", 12 June 2026
- HKSAR Government Press Release: "Marine Department launches Quality Bunker Suppliers Scheme", 3 June 2026
- HKSAR Government Press Release: "Government announces Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering", 15 November 2024
Contact
Ms. Madelena Ko — Carbon Consulting Advisor
EEX (European Energy Exchange) Trader
BSI (British Standards Institution) Greenhouse Gas Practitioner
Email: madelena.ko@tecwayintl.com
About Tecway
Founded in Hong Kong in 1993, Tecway International Limited is a leading technical consultancy and high-quality agent in the global maritime industry. Drawing on more than three decades of accumulated expertise, the group operates across five core business areas: marine equipment, petrochemical storage and transportation, diesel and internal combustion engines, maritime technical services, and maritime consultancy services.
Tecway's maritime team focuses on green shipping and maritime consultancy services. Our offerings include UK ETS (UKA), EU ETS (EUA) and FuelEU compliance consulting, shipping green hydrogen project support, smart-ship dry-docking solutions, FGSS services, supply and technical support for the Cylinder Liner Diameter Measurement device (CLDM), and export solutions for Chinese-made marine equipment.