The Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping (HKCoS) has been stepping up dialogue with both mainland and Hong Kong authorities to accelerate the industry’s green transition. On July 10, a Qingdao delegation led by Zeng Zanrong, Member of the Standing Committee of Shandong Province and Party Secretary of Qingdao, visited HKCoS for discussions on maritime cooperation, green energy, and talent development. Soon after, on July 15, HKCoS Chairman Hing Chao met with Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan of the HKSAR to push for faster adoption of maritime electrification measures in line with international decarbonisation trends.

Qingdao Delegation Visit: Green Shipping and Long-term Cooperation

During the July 10 meeting, Secretary Zeng underscored Qingdao’s role as a leading marine economy — home to 30% of China’s ocean-related academicians and the world’s fourth-largest port. While Qingdao has strong industrial capacity, he noted the need to draw on Hong Kong’s expertise in high-end maritime services. His proposals included:

• Expanding cooperation in shipping finance, legal and arbitration services.
• Promoting the development of green ship fuel technologies.
• Launching joint programs for maritime talent training.

Chairman Chao welcomed the proposals and announced that HKCoS will host a dedicated parallel forum on decarbonisation, the future of shipping, and talent development at the 2025 Global Ocean Development Forum in September 2025. Both sides agreed to set up a regular coordination mechanism between the Qingdao Transport Bureau and HKCoS, with further details to be finalised during Chao’s upcoming visit to Qingdao.

Pushing for Maritime Electrification in Hong Kong

On July 15, HKCoS representatives met with Secretary Tse Chin-wan and his team at the Environment and Ecology Bureau to discuss proposals previously submitted by the Chamber. Chao emphasised the urgency of preparing for the IMO’s 2028 decarbonisation requirements, warning that Hong Kong risks falling behind global competitors if action is delayed.

Key recommendations included:

• Clear policies and roadmapsfor shore power and charging facilities for both oceangoing and local vessels such as ferries and fishing boats.
• A pilot project at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, making use of existing grid capacity.
• CPO model (Charging Point Operators):leveraging private investment to share infrastructure costs and improve port decarbonisation efficiency.
• Deeper GBA collaborationon battery-swapping technology to serve over 70,000 vessels in the region.

HKCoS noted that Hong Kong’s 21,000 local vessels are mostly ageing, making policy support critical to drive electrification. With the city’s power grid already less carbon-intensive than the regional average, Hong Kong has a strong foundation to develop a green maritime corridor.

Chao stressed that maritime electrification is not just about environmental responsibility but also about maintaining Hong Kong’s competitiveness. The Bureau responded that it would actively study the proposals and coordinate with other departments to explore practical solutions.

Looking Ahead

Together, the Qingdao visit and the Hong Kong policy dialogue highlight the determination of both sides to push shipping decarbonisation forward. As Qingdao–Hong Kong cooperation takes shape and local electrification policies gather pace, Hong Kong is well placed to position itself as a leading green shipping hub in the Asia-Pacific.