Hong Kong Unveils Action Plan to Become Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering Hub by 2030

Government promulgates Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering

The Government promulgated the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering today (November 15) to set out clear strategies and actions to promote the development of Hong Kong into a high-quality green maritime fuel bunkering centre.

In view of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s target to reach net-zero carbon emissions from international shipping by or around 2050, as well as a series of medium-term measures reducing carbon emissions that the IMO will endorse and that are expected to take effect in 2027, including promulgating a maritime fuel standard and launching a global maritime carbon pricing mechanism, the industry has started to switch to using low or even zero-carbon green maritime fuels, so as to meet the tightening international emission reduction standards and to fulfil environmental, social and governance responsibilities. As an associate member of the IMO, Hong Kong is obliged to follow the IMO's emission reduction target. At the same time, to dovetail with the development direction and targets of the country on carbon peak and carbon neutrality as set out in theNational 14th Five-Year Plan; the measures on promoting the development of green ports and enhancing the promotion and application of clean maritime fuels as set out in the 14th Five-Year Plan Comprehensive Work Plan for Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction; as well as the strategies related to the promotion of the establishment of a national Ship Energy Efficiency Centre, active participation in the global governance of emission reduction of the maritime industry and encouragement of vessels to use clean, green and low-carbon maritime fuels under the 14th Five-Year Development Plan for the Maritime System, Hong Kong must also expedite the development of green maritime fuel bunkering and develop into a high-quality green maritime fuel bunkering centre, so as to enhance the international status and competitiveness of its port.

To this end, the Chief Executive announced in his 2023 Policy Address to develop Hong Kong into a green maritime fuel bunkering centre. The Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), in collaboration with the Environment and Ecology Bureau, immediately commenced a feasibility study and proceeded to formulate this Action Plan by taking into account international experiences and the current market developments, as well as in consultation with the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB) and various organisations and players in the industry.

The Action Plan sets out a number of targets, including following the emission reduction target set by the IMO to reach net-zero carbon emissions from international shipping by or around 2050; reducing carbon emissions from Hong Kong-registered ships by at least 11 per cent (compared to 2019) and ensuring that 55 per cent of the diesel-fuelled vessels in the Government fleet switch to using green maritime fuels by 2026; and reducing carbon emissions from the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals by 30 per cent (compared to 2021), as well as ensuring that 7 per cent of Hong Kong-registered ships take up green maritime fuels by 2030.

To achieve the above targets, the Action Plan sets out five green-centric strategies and 10 actions, covering a wide range of areas such as the supply of green maritime fuels, infrastructural support, port emissions reduction, incentive measures, collaboration with the Mainland and overseas, and talent training. Among them, the Action Plan proposes that Hong Kong should keep pace with the international development trends and develop the bunkering of multiple green maritime fuels simultaneously, and actively facilitate the conclusion of offtake agreements on green maritime fuels between green maritime fuel bunkering suppliers mainly from the Mainland and shipping companies, so as to establish an effective supply chain of green maritime fuels. The Government will support the industry and provide facilitation measures in various areas to promote the overall development of the green maritime fuel bunkering ecosystem. The Government has identified a land parcel near the port for green maritime fuel storage and expects to invite expressions of interest from the industry next year in developing the designated site. The Government will also facilitate the conduct of the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship-to-ship bunkering demonstration by the industry within the first half of 2025, and establish the Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering Incentive Scheme to encourage pioneer enterprises to start green maritime fuel bunkering businesses in Hong Kong. The strategies and action measures under the Action Plan are listed in the Annex.

With the timely implementation of the Action Plan, the Government expects that Hong Kong will provide bunkering services to ocean-going vessels powered by green maritime fuels such as LNG or green methanol for over 60 times a year by 2030, involving over 200 000 tonnes of green maritime fuels.

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said, "This Action Plan fully reflects theHong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's determination to develop green maritime fuel bunkering, and provides clear and definite directions and action targets for Hong Kong to keep pace with the international trends of green shipping. We will, in accordance with the strategies and actions set out in the Action Plan, continue to work with relevant stakeholders in the industry and actively take forward various action measures, with a view to developing Hong Kong into the most preferred green maritime fuel bunkering and trading centre in the region, thereby contributing to emissions reduction of the maritime industry."

The TLB expressed its deep appreciation to the HKMPB and industry players for their invaluable views. The Action Plan has been uploaded to the website of the TLB (www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/index.html).

Government promulgates Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government promulgates Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government promulgates Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

36 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Lightshadow" and "Twilight", and a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" for four consecutive days from November 11 to yesterday (November 14). A total of 27 suspected illegal workers, four suspected employers, one aider and abettor and four overstayers were arrested.

During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided 52 target locations including residential buildings, restaurants and a retail shop. Four suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer and one aider and abettor were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised four women, aged 31 to 52. One woman, aged 63, who was suspected of employing the illegal workers was arrested. One woman, aged 53, who was suspected of aiding and abetting a person who breached the condition of stay in Hong Kong, was also arrested.

During operation "Champion", enforcement officers raided 76 target locations in Hong Kong Island. Twenty-three suspected illegal workers, three suspected employers and four overstayers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised seven men and 16 women, aged 22 to 62. Among them, four women were holders of a recognisance form, which prohibits them from taking any employment. In addition, one man and six women were suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Three women, aged 33 to 39, were suspected of employing the illegal workers, and were arrested. The arrested overstayers comprised four women, aged 31 to 46. Among the group, 16 suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer and four overstayers were handled by the ImmD.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman warned, "As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment."

The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

36 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases