Hong Kong Records First STS LNG Bunkering Operation for a Vehicle Carrier

CLPe, a subsidiary of CLP Holdings, and CNOOC (Shenzhen) International Marine Clean Energy Co., Ltd. completed on September 26 Hong Kong's first ship-to-ship (STS) liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation for a Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), the AICC Fenghuang. The operation took place at Western Anchorage No. 3, west of Victoria Harbour, where CNOOC's bunkering vessel Haiyang Shiyou 301 supplied approximately 2,600 cubic meters of LNG over about six hours.

The AICC Fenghuang is a dual-fuel LNG vessel approximately 200 meters in length overall and 38 meters in beam, with 12 decks and capacity for 7,000 standard vehicles. It belongs to Anhui Port and Shipping Group and, following the bunkering operation, departed for the Mediterranean carrying vehicles exported from mainland China, according to Marine Insight, from Anhui province, one of the country's leading automotive manufacturing regions.

Marine Insight and Financial Ports noted that, given its size and large surface area exposed to wind, the AICC Fenghuang presented greater challenges in berthing, stability control, operational coordination, and safety management during the bunkering operation. Both outlets pointed out that the project team had to carefully plan aspects such as the anchorage, weather and sea conditions, vessel positioning, berthing procedures, and emergency plans to maintain a safe distance between both vessels throughout the operation.

CLPe's Managing Director, Ringo Ng, stated that through close collaboration and meticulous operational planning, CLPe and CNOOC were able to complete Hong Kong's first LNG bunkering operation for a PCTC, demonstrating both companies' expertise and capabilities in serving a wide range of ocean-going vessels. Ng added that CLPe will continue to promote the adoption of green marine fuels and support the accelerated green transformation of Hong Kong's maritime industry.

According to Manifold Times and Marine Insight, CLPe and CNOOC have been collaborating on LNG bunkering operations in Hong Kong waters since 2025, when in June of that year they carried out the city's first LNG STS operation with simultaneous cargo handling for a large container ship. Financial Ports also noted that both companies joined forces last year, although it attributed that first joint operation with simultaneous cargo handling to June 2024, a date that differs from the one given by the other two outlets. All three sources agree that, since then, the companies have expanded their services to other vessel types, including a VLCC tanker and a bulk carrier, before now adding the PCTC.