The Hong Kong Marine Department announced on June 12 that it will launch two new incentive schemes for vessels using green marine fuels on June 16, with both schemes running for a three-year period. The "Port Facility Fee Concession Scheme for Vessels Related to Green Marine Fuels" will offer ocean-going vessels a fee reduction equivalent to 25% or 50% of port facility fees. The "Green Ship Registration Incentive Scheme" targets all Hong Kong-registered vessels using green marine fuels, offering an annual registration fee concession of HK$60,000, with a cumulative maximum of HK$180,000 over three years.

Specifically, ocean-going vessels that deliver green marine fuels—excluding biodiesel—to Hong Kong for local consumption, and vessels that bunker such fuels in Hong Kong, will enjoy a concession equivalent to 50% of the port facility fees already paid. Meanwhile, ocean-going vessels that use green marine fuels—excluding biodiesel—in Hong Kong, and vessels that deliver or bunker biodiesel blended with at least 20% biofuel in Hong Kong, will be eligible for a concession equivalent to 25% of the port facility fees already paid.

The green marine fuels covered under the scheme include liquefied natural gas, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, and biodiesel blended with at least 20% biofuel. Where a vessel qualifies under multiple categories simultaneously, the highest applicable concession amount will be applied. After completing the designated operations while in Hong Kong, eligible ocean-going vessels may apply for a refund of port fees paid under the Shipping and Port Control Regulations, including port facility and light dues, anchorage fees, mooring buoy fees, and port clearance fees.

Eligible owners or their agents must submit the application form together with the required supporting documents to the Marine Department within three months after the vessel's departure from Hong Kong. The concession amount for approved applications will generally be disbursed within 30 working days.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong Marine Department expressed the hope that the scheme will attract various participants along the green marine fuel bunkering supply chain—including fuel suppliers, bunker operators, and traders—to establish and expand their businesses in Hong Kong. The Marine Department estimates that the new measures will attract more than 1,000 green fuel vessel calls to Hong Kong.

Additionally, the concurrently launched "Green Ship Registration Incentive Scheme" is open to both existing and newly registered vessels on the Hong Kong Shipping Register that are powered by green fuels. All Hong Kong-registered vessels using green marine fuels as their primary means of propulsion are eligible to apply. Qualifying fuels include LNG, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen, but exclude conventional fuels and biodiesel.

During the three-year implementation period of the scheme, each eligible vessel will be granted an annual registration fee concession of HK$60,000**. The exact amount is determined based on the vessel's registration duration with the Hong Kong Shipping Register, with concessions available for one to a maximum of three years, allowing each vessel to receive a total amount of up to **HK$180,000. Processing and disbursement of concessions will be completed within approximately three months from receipt of the application and supporting documents. On the day the concession is disbursed, the vessel must maintain its status as a Hong Kong-registered vessel.

The Marine Department spokesman noted that the scheme is expected to attract approximately 100 green fuel-powered vessels to register with the Hong Kong Shipping Register. Together with existing similarly registered vessels, it is anticipated that a total of around 170 Hong Kong-registered vessels using green marine fuels will benefit from the scheme within three years of its launch.