The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is positioning  itself as a leading bunkering hub for near zero and zero emission (ZNZ) fuels. The first step, bunkering of liquefied natural gas (LNG), is expected to be ready soon. Hong Kong’s bunkering hub for fossil fuels is well established and is the 5th largest in Asia, meeting the dual demand of ocean-going vessels (OGV) calling at the port and also for ships that bunker outside port limits (OPL). If plentiful supply of ZNZ fuels, developed in China, could continually be supplied to Hong Kong, a transhipment trade in these new fuels could also be a future opportunity.

All forecasts for the shipping sector’s future energy mix, due to regulatory pressures of the EU ETS scheme, the upcoming FuelEU Maritime plus the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s mid-term measures, suggests that Green Methanol will account for a substantial share of the ZNZ fuels.

To this end, the Institute for the Environment of the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) in support of the HKSAR Government (HKSARG), is organizing a OGV Workshop on Green Methanol. This will be of interest to many maritime stakeholders, Shipowners, Bunker suppliers, Fuel storage facilities, Berth owners and various Government Departments, etc. Noting that a few methanol-capable OGVs are already operating, with many more expected, the future demand for Green Methanol bunkering is assured. The workshop aims to facilitate early adoption of Green Methanol bunkering in Hong Kong.

Sponsor: InvestHK, HKSARG 

Notes: Free Admission. Limited seats. Organizer has full discretion to limit registrants per company or decline registration. The event will be video-recorded and uploaded to internet for global coverage.  

PROGRAMME 

SPEAKERS (in order of speakers' appearance)

 
Prof. Christine Loh
Prof. Christine Loh is the Chief Development Strategist at the Institute for the Environment, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Previously, she held the positions of Special Consultant to the Office of the Chief Executive of the HKSAR Government on the ecological civilization aspects of the Greater Bay Area Outline Development Plan (2019-2020); and Under Secretary for the Environment in the HKSAR Government (2012-2017). She was the CEO of Civic Exchange, an independent non-profit public policy think tank (2000-2012). Before that, Prof. Loh served as a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, first appointed in 1992 and later elected in 1995 and 1998. Earlier, she spent 14 years in the private commercial sector in commodities trading. Currently, she is a Director of New Forests Pty Limited, Towngas Smart Energy Company Limited, CDP Worldwide, and Global Maritime Forum. She is also a founding Advisor to Hong Kong Green Finance Association.

Mr. Qiang Shi
Mr. Shi currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Marine Department, where he leads the Local Vessels and Examination Division, Multi-lateral Policy Division, Port Control Division, and Shipping Division. Mr. Shi began his career onboard container ships as a deck officer. After obtaining his Master Mariner qualification, he transitioned ashore and held managerial positions with major shipping companies, focusing on crew manning and marine operations. In 2007, Mr. Shi joined the Marine Department as a government surveyor. Throughout his tenure, he has handled a diverse range of responsibilities, including port state control, flag state administration, marine legislation, seafarers training and certification, and local vessel safety, among others.

Mr. Benjamin Wong
Benjamin Wong, Head of Transport and Logistics at InvestHK, is a key figure in promoting Hong Kong as an international maritime hub. He serves on several maritime and logistics committees, including the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board. From 2022 to 2024, Wong led the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, focusing on new energy technology and advanced manufacturing. With extensive experience in both private and public sectors, Wong combines expertise in economic development, international marketing, and investment promotion. He holds MBA and bachelor's degrees from prestigious universities and has participated in elite academic programs. Wong is an advisor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and was named among the "Top 100 Chinese in the Maritime Industry" in 2020.

Mr. Jiajing Chen
CHEN Jiajing is a PhD student in the Division of Environment and Sustainability (ENVR) at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). He holds a master's degree in international shipping management, also obtained in Hong Kong, and has gained substantial experience in the shipping industry across both Mainland China and Hong Kong. His research and professional interests are centered on green and sustainable shipping practices, with a particular focus on the application of big data in the shipping industry.

Mr. Zhihang Meng
Zhihang Meng is a Researcher on the Marine team in ICCT. He leads and supports research on maritime policies about vessel efficiency, financing deployment of zero-emission vessels, life-cycle GHG emissions from shipping, and green shipping corridor potential. Zhihang has a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the Tsinghua University.

Mr. Zhao Kai
Mr. Zhao Kai serves at the Methanol Institute (MI)’s China Chief Representative, based in Beijing. In this role, Mr. Zhao is responsible for supporting and advancing the Association’s public policy activities in China, in combination with the Methanol Institute (MI)’s CEO and COO.  He provides strategic development and tactical leadership of MI’s government relations/affairs activities in China, including liaising with MI members, affiliated Chinese trade associations, government officials, and media on areas affecting the methanol industry. Mr. Zhao is also responsible for helping to drive initiatives aimed at fostering safe use and handling of methanol and derivative products in China.  Additionally, he provides support services to existing MI members in China and to recruit new members into the Association.

Mr. Karim Fahssis
Karim Fahssis leads decarbonization efforts for Maersk in China, focusing on securing green methanol production and advising on landside decarbonization. As an energy engineer and entrepreneur with extensive renewable energy experience, he plays a crucial role in Maersk's goal of achieving carbon net zero transport by 2040. Fahssis has lived in China since 2005, speaks fluent Chinese, and holds dual master's degrees in mechanical engineering and energy management from French and Chinese universities. His expertise in fluid dynamics and energy management is complemented by his entrepreneurial background. In 2014, MIT Technology Review named him "Innovator of the Year" for his contributions to the wind energy industry, particularly in resource site prospecting and energy yield assessments.

Mr. Sham Man Fai 
Chief Operating Officer of Green Fuels and Chemicals Business, The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited. MF has over 30 years of experience in gas utility, gas applications and technology R&D, chemical plants operations, and project management. MF is currently leading a team in technology development for production of sustainable low carbon energy and chemicals products by utilizing waste biomass as feedstock.  Products are readily available in volume with prime focus on green methanol for alternative marine fuels and green chemicals applications, complying with stringent international sustainability certification system. The business is a pioneer in Asia and is expanding its capacity to meet upcoming demand worldwide. 

Mr. Deepak Devendrappa

Mr. Devendrappa was the Director of Low Carbon Market Development, Methanex. As the Director of Low Carbon Market Development, Devendrappa have built a dynamic team promoting and commercializing Methanol as a Low carbon and Green Fuel, especially as a Marine fuel, working with Global Shipping companies, OEMs, Port Authorities, Classification societies, Industry associations and other key stakeholders leading to the establishment of a 10-million-ton market for methanol as shipping fuel. After graduating with from HKUST/ University of Berkley, with a MBA degree, Devendrappa have spent his career with Methanex leading Marketing in Asia and Globally, followed by Business Development in Asia/China, and then as the Director of Operations and Logistics Asia, before assuming the current role. Devendrappa is passionate about ESG - Transition to low carbon economy, Decarbonisation and Sustainability. From May 2024, Devendrappa is pursuing the Sustainable Leadership Program for Senior Executives at INSEAD, exploring Sustainability as a Strategic opportunity.

 
Mr. Prakash Chandra
Prakash Chandra is a seasoned expert in the marine industry with 34 years of experience. Currently the Director Technical at Fleet Management Limited in Hong Kong, he holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Marine Engineering from DMET India, a Diploma in LNG Shipping from the University of Portsmouth, and has completed Executive Education in Business Management at NUS Business School, Singapore. Chandra's career includes 12 years at sea, 2 years as a Marine Surveyor with ABS, and 20 years as a Vessel Manager. He specializes in the technical management of specialized fleets such as LNG, LPG, and various tankers, as well as new building supervision. Notably, he led projects on methanol-fueled vessel operations and ammonia as fuel. Actively engaged in zero-carbon shipping initiatives, Chandra collaborates with international consortiums like SABRE, RADIUS, and WAVE, and serves on the Gas Committee at Intertanko, promoting sustainability in the industry. 

Mr. Roberto Giannetta
Chairman at Hong Kong Liner Shipping Association. Industry veteran with 30 years experience advising and representing container liner interests on operational, safety, environmental, trade, and regulatory matters. Roberto is a consummate team-player with strong articulate and persuasive communication skills, broad international and multicultural experience in Asia, Europe, North and South America, multi-lingual (English, Italian, Portuguese, and conversant in Chinese and Spanish), strong leadership skills, and passionate about service relationship building. Originally from Brazil of Italian parents, educated in Europe and US, and building a career in Asia since 1986, Roberto understands the dynamics of cross-cultural business relationships, how to communicate and lead in diverse settings, and ultimately, how to "get the job done".

Mr. Martin Cresswell
Martin is a Marine Engineer who has over 40 years’ experience, operating, managing and building merchant ships. He was a Board Member of the China Navigation Company, a British Shipowner, part of the Swire Group, for 15yrs before retiring in November 2016. Martin is currently the Technical Director of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association and continues to work in shipping in various technical roles.

Mr. Onur Semiz
Onur Semiz is a naval architect and marine engineer with 20 years of experience in Maritime and Offshore industries. He joined ABS Head Quarters in Houston Texas in 2022 as a Principal Engineer in Corporate Technology/Energy Transition, working on ship machinery, systems, alternative fuels, and novel technologies. He specializes in alternative fuels (e.g. Ammonia-Methanol-Hydrogen) and understands their benefits and technical challenges. At the beginning of his career, he worked in shipyards as a commissioning engineer, as well as a design and planning engineer on new construction oil and chemical tankers. Prior to joining ABS, Onur worked with another Classification society where he gained experience in the design aspects of LNG-fueled ships and large cruise vessels.

 
Prof. Alexis Lau
Prof. Alexis Lau, JP, is Head and Chair Professor of Division of Environment and Sustainability, Chair Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Director of the Institute for the Environment at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. 

Prof. Lau specializes in air quality and health exposure, weather and climate, and environmental policies, with recent focuses on climate adaptation and resilience, as well as shaping the transition to green finance based on climate science. His professional techniques include the analysis of large-scale geophysical datasets, numerical models, and in-situ and satellite remote sensing.

Prof. Lau is a fellow of the Hong Kong Meteorological Society, a founding member of the Hong Kong Climate Change Forum, a scientific advisor to the Hong Kong Observatory, as well as a founding board member and chair of the Qualification Panel of the Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals. Currently, Prof. Lau is leading the first pan-Pearl River Delta Air Quality study managed jointly by the regional governments under the “Cooperation Agreement on Regional Air Pollution Control and Prevention among Hong Kong, Guangdong, and Macao”. Additionally, he is a member of the Scientific Advisory Group of the World Health Organization Panel on the development of a Global Platform on Air Quality and Health.

Join us in shaping the future of sustainable maritime operations in Hong Kong! 

Disclaimer: The views expressed by speakers or moderator do not necessarily reflect the official policies of HKUST, supporting organizations or the sponsor, nor does mention of commercial practices or companies imply endorsement of HKUST, supporting organizations or the sponsor.