Lam sets course for green and smart ports

Hong Kong will build green and smart ports to further enhance its status as an international maritime center, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung said.

Lam was speaking as the government unveiled its maritime and port development plan yesterday, which lays out 10 strategies and 32 ways to enhance port competitiveness, including transforming Hong Kong into a green shipping hub, promoting digitalization in ports and attracting cargo trades from regions including southeast Asia, the Middle East and Belt and Road countries.

The government will provide more tax concessions, improve the maritime legal system, and expand talent pools to attract maritime partners around the world.

Lam said automation and digitalization here are not as advanced as new ports elsewhere, especially in the mainland.

Port digitalization is necessary even though Hong Kong has unique advantages such as a superior geographical location and a free economic system.

"We will try to implement a smart port community system under the strategy to improve port efficiency, so as to enhance our competitiveness," Lam said.

Building green ports is also important, as it will promote a "healthier and more sustainable development" in the industry.

He said Hong Kong is aiming to fully comply with the International Maritime Organization's emission requirements.

The organization calls for the industry to cut back greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 percent by 2030, more than 70 percent by 2040, and to achieve zero emission by 2050.

The government will study the feasibility of providing bunkering of green fuels, especially green methanol, for local and oceangoing vessels and promulgate the plan next year.

It will also study the availability of green fuels from the mainland, one of the largest producers of green methanol.

It will also nurture local green energy talents by introducing courses in training institutions and initiating a funding scheme to attract students to study green energy and join the shipping industry.

Our Hong Kong Foundation vice president Ryan Ip Man-ki welcomed the plan to introduce green fuel in the sector.

"Clean fuels such as green methanol and liquefied natural gas are already in use for many vessels," Ip said.

He urged the government to build green methanol and LNG bunkering facilities in ports as soon as possible to become the first green port in the region.

He also suggested the government enhance collaboration between Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area ports, which could increase overall competitiveness.