Hong Kong’s First LNG Bunkering for Car Carrier: Why It Matters
Hong Kong delivered 2,600 cubic metres of LNG to a 7,000-vehicle PCTC in a six-hour operation.
Hong Kong has completed its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship-to-ship bunkering operation for a Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), delivering 2,600 cubic metres of fuel to the AICC Fenghuang in a six-hour operation.
The bunkering took place at Western Anchorage No. 3, west of Victoria Harbour, where CNOOC’s Haiyang Shiyou 301, the world’s largest LNG bunkering and transport vessel, transferred the fuel to the AICC Fenghuang. The PCTC, measuring 200 metres in length and 38 metres in width, presented unique challenges due to its size and high-sided structure, which increased windage and required meticulous planning for berthing, stability control, and safety management.
The AICC Fenghuang, owned by Anhui Port and Shipping Group, is a dual-fuel vessel with 12 decks and a capacity for 7,000 standard vehicles. After refuelling, it departed for the Mediterranean, carrying vehicles exported from Anhui, a leading automotive manufacturing province in the Chinese Mainland.
Natural Gas
How the Operation Unfolded: lng bunkering
This achievement is part of a broader effort by Hong Kong to establish itself as a world-class green marine fuel bunkering centre. CLPe, a subsidiary of CLP Holdings, partnered with CNOOC (Shenzhen) International Marine Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to execute the operation, marking another step in their ongoing collaboration. Since joining forces last year, the two companies have completed multiple LNG bunkering operations in Hong Kong waters, including a landmark June 2024 operation that combined bunkering with simultaneous cargo handling for a large container vessel.
Ringo Ng, Managing Director of CLPe, highlighted the significance of the milestone:
The Broader Implications for Hong Kong’s Maritime Sector
“Through close collaboration and meticulous operational planning, CLPe and CNOOC have successfully completed Hong Kong’s first LNG bunkering operation for a PCTC, demonstrating the expertise and capabilities of both companies in serving a diverse range of oceangoing vessels. CLPe will continue to promote the wider adoption of green marine fuels and support the accelerated green transformation of Hong Kong’s maritime industry.”
Ringo Ng·CLPe Managing Director
The operation aligns with Hong Kong’s ambitions to become a hub for sustainable maritime practices. Earlier this year, CLPe and CNOOC expanded their LNG bunkering services to include a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), a bulk carrier, and now a PCTC, reflecting the city’s growing infrastructure to support a variety of vessel types.
Looking ahead, CLPe and CNOOC are expected to continue their collaboration, with plans to introduce additional green fuel solutions and expand their service offerings.
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