Fuel firm calls for Greater Bay Area integration to advance green bunkering

A greater fuel supply integration should be built in the Greater Bay Area, as global shipping faces mounting pressure to cut emissions, said Asia-Pacific marine fuel logistics firm CBL International.

Chairman William Chia Teck-lim stressed that green bunkering should be developed through GBA-wide cooperation, as mainland cities in the region have fuel storage facilities while Hong Kong offers convenient refueling locations. 

By sharing resources, the cities can complement each other and strengthen competitiveness, he noted.

Chia added that current logistics are inefficient, with vessels sometimes forced to make long detours to refuel. Better coordination, he said, would boost efficiency and support greener shipping.

The statement came as biofuels have gained attention as a drop-in solution for shipowners facing stricter rules from the International Maritime Organization and the European Union.

Chia said CBL is building flexible supply chains to serve ship operators needing compliant fuels across different regions. 

Chia also said the tariff war so far has had only a mild impact, as China has accelerated exports, while rising cargo volumes within Asia and on Eurasian routes have supported bunkering growth.

He also downplayed the need to join the city’s recent initial public offering boom, despite acknowledging that its share price may not fully reflect its financial scale.

“We’re not a small company, but our current focus is on building a solid foundation,” Chia said.

"When the time is right, we’ll be ready," he added.

Earlier this month, CBL reported a nearly 40 percent decline in first half net loss to US$992,000 (HK$7.74 million), thanks to cost control and improved operation efficiency.

During the first six months, biofuels sales revenue surged 155 percent, and sales volume jumped 190 percent amid an international push to adopt sustainable fuels.

After two years of expansion, the company’s service network has grown from just over 30 ports to 65.

Nine of the world’s 12 largest shipping companies are now its clients, lifting its market share, Chia noted.