Hong Kong-based energy company CLPe has reached another milestone in the city’s LNG bunkering development, completing what is reported to be the first LNG bunkering operation for a dry bulk carrier at the Hong Kong outer anchorage.
According to Ship & Bunker, approximately 2,500 m3 of LNG was delivered to the dry bulk carrier following a successful cool-down operation. The vessel had previously completed cargo operations at a nearby mainland Chinese port before arriving to receive the fuel.
Cross-Boundary Capability on Display
Ringo Ng, managing director at CLPe, shared details of the operation via LinkedIn on Monday. CLPe stated that the operation demonstrated its capacity to conduct cross-boundary LNG bunkering and its ability to serve a broader range of vessel types beyond those it has previously supplied.
This latest delivery follows an earlier milestone for CLPe, which Ship & Bunker also reported — the company’s first LNG bunker delivery to a VLCC in Hong Kong waters. Together, these operations reflect an expanding scope of LNG bunkering activity in the region.
Chinese state-owned energy company CNOOC was acknowledged by CLPe for its support and collaboration in making the dry bulk operation possible.
Backing Hong Kong’s Maritime Ambitions
According to Ship & Bunker, CLPe connected the operation to broader goals — namely, supporting Hong Kong’s aspirations to reinforce its standing as an international maritime centre, while contributing to the shipping industry’s decarbonisation agenda through the uptake of cleaner marine fuels.
Does This Matter to You?
For vessel operators, charterers, and fuel procurement teams active in the South China Sea and Pearl River Delta region, this development is worth noting. The completion of LNG bunkering for a dry bulk carrier — a vessel type not traditionally associated with LNG propulsion — signals that LNG bunkering infrastructure and capability in Hong Kong is maturing and becoming available to a wider range of shipping segments.
For operators considering LNG as a compliance pathway under current and forthcoming emissions regulations, the availability of cross-boundary LNG bunkering services in Hong Kong waters adds a relevant refuelling option to the Asia-Pacific picture. Port agents, fleet managers, and bunker traders operating in this corridor may want to monitor CLPe’s expanding service capabilities as the market continues to develop.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
