The first ship-to-ship bunkering operation to fuel LNG ships has been launched at the Port of Hong Kong. Singapore and Shanghai offer similar LNG bunkering operations.
Kunlun Energy Co., controlled by PetroChina reported that the operation on February 14 took place in the southern anchorage of Hong Kong’s Cheung Chau. Its bunker vessel was positioned alongside the Zim Aquamarine (81,681 dwt) to load 2,200 tons of ultra-low temperature LNG. The operation took about seven hours.
Kunlun Energy is currently a leading enterprise in the domestic natural gas end-use sector, dedicated to providing integrated services and supply of natural gas and other green energy. Following the implementation of Hong Kong’s “2024 Ship Legislation (Fuel Use and Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance” on January 10, 2025, Kunlun Energy actively responded to Hong Kong’s environmental policies, efficiently addressing Hong Kong’s clean energy application needs and quickly initiating preparations for the first “ship-to-ship” offshore LNG bunkering operation in Hong Kong.
According to a PetroChina official, the receiving vessel, “Zim Haifa Blue Stone,” departed from Busan, South Korea, on February 3, 2025, and passed through Qingdao, Shanghai, and Ningbo before arriving in Hong Kong on February 12. Its final destination is Istanbul, Turkey. This refueling operation can meet the ship’s fuel needs for the entire journey.
The bunkering vessel involved in the operation is operated by a Kunlun Energy subsidiary. It is equipped with two independent “C”-type cargo tanks with a maximum capacity of 8,500 cubic meters, providing customers with one-stop customized services, including cold storage, degassing, and LNG bunkering.
Located at the heart of the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong is a critical node for international trade. A PetroChina official stated that the Hong Kong SAR government attaches great importance to the first LNG bunkering operation, with departments such as the Transport and Logistics Bureau traveling to Shenzhen to engage with enterprises, optimize channel traffic and safety risk assessment and review procedures, and expedite the processing of entry permits for personnel conducting operations in Hong Kong. Shenzhen’s Transportation Bureau, Development and Reform Commission, Customs, Maritime Safety Administration, and Border Inspection Headquarters have also provided strong support for the operation, ensuring the smooth export of bonded LNG to Hong Kong.
According to data provided by PetroChina, by the end of 2024, PetroChina had supplied approximately 15.8 billion cubic meters of gas to Hong Kong, with an annual supply of about 1.5 billion cubic meters.
(Photo from Kunlun Energy)