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Ken Chu

Last month, Hong Kong completed its first green methanol bunkering operation, a significant step in its efforts to support the decarbonisation of global shipping. As the maritime industry accelerates its transition towards cleaner fuels, this milestone signals Hong Kong’s intent to remain relevant.
The global blue economy, defined as the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and environmental health, is gaining urgency. No longer confined to environmental discussions, it is increasingly central to how economies pursue sustainable growth, energy transition and supply chain resilience.
For Hong Kong, the opportunity is timely. As the city recalibrates its economic model in a more complex global environment, the blue economy offers both a strategic anchor and a new growth frontier.
The numbers are compelling. The United Nations places the blue economy’s annual value at between US$3 trillion and US$6 trillion while the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development projects that by 2030, ocean-based industries could outgrow the global economy. These span traditional sectors such as shipping and fisheries, as well as emerging areas like offshore renewable energy, marine biotechnology and ocean data services.
Hong Kong is well placed to lead in this space. The city is a top container port, handling close to 13 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last year, and plays a leading role in high-value maritime services such as ship finance, insurance and arbitration. Tourism is also recovering steadily with 189 cruise ship calls last year, and investment in harbourfront infrastructure from West Kowloon to Kai Tak is strengthening the city’s position as a destination by the sea.
Yet the competitive landscape has shifted. Mainland ports such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou are scaling up rapidly, combining physical expansion with digitalisation and automation. At the same time, global shipping is undergoing a structural change as decarbonisation targets, fuel transitions and a supply chain reconfiguration reshape industry economics.

In this environment, Hong Kong’s future as a maritime centre will depend less on scale alone, and more on how it positions itself within a broader regional ecosystem. The Greater Bay Area provides that context.
Guangdong’s marine economy exceeded 2 trillion yuan (US$292.89 billion) in 2024, reflecting the depth of activity across shipping, logistics, tourism and research. Closer integration with cities such as Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Guangzhou can allow Hong Kong to complement, rather than compete directly with, neighbouring ports.
Opportunities for Hong Kong are diverse, but three areas stand out. The first is maritime tourism. Hong Kong’s harbourfront transformation has made the waterfront more accessible and vibrant, but there is scope to deepen its appeal. Beyond cruise tourism, the city can develop curated experiences from heritage ferry routes and eco-tours of Deep Bay to adventure activities in Sai Kung’s geopark.
These offerings already exist in pockets. With stronger curation and regional collaboration, they can be scaled into multi-destination coastal itineraries across the Greater Bay Area, tapping into growing demand for experiential and nature-based travel. Marine tourism in China is expanding at scale and there is potential to develop this further with higher-value, sustainable offerings.
Another area is blue finance. As an international financial centre, Hong Kong has a strong foundation to lead in financing the marine economy. Building on its progress in green finance, the city can expand into instruments such as blue bonds and sustainability-linked loans to support projects ranging from port electrification to marine conservation and offshore energy.

Globally, blue bond issuances have surged and are expected to hit US$70 billion by 2030 as investors seek opportunities that deliver both financial returns and measurable environmental outcomes. Investor appetite for such assets is increasing, particularly as environmental considerations become more embedded in capital allocation. Hong Kong can serve as a bridge, connecting global capital with large projects in the Greater Bay Area and beyond, including green shipping corridors and coastal resilience infrastructure.
Last but not least, marine innovation. Hong Kong can play a role in research, commercialisation and international collaboration. Local universities are already active in areas including marine robotics and ocean-related technologies. Strengthening pathways from research to industry, through incubators, venture funding and cross-border partnerships, can help translate these capabilities into new economic value.
Ultimately, underlying these opportunities is the need for regional coordination. Marine ecosystems and industries do not recognise jurisdictional boundaries. Working with neighbouring Greater Bay Area cities can ensure shared environmental standards, safety protocols and joint tourism campaigns.
For example, a cross-border marine conservation initiative could protect habitats used by migratory species like the Chinese white dolphin, while also serving as an educational draw for tourists. Similarly, collaboration on green shipping corridors and port digitalisation can improve efficiency while reducing emissions.


The blue economy also intersects with broader challenges facing Hong Kong. Climate risks are becoming more pronounced, with more frequent extreme weather events affecting coastal areas. Investments in coastal resilience, from infrastructure to ecosystem restoration, are therefore both an environmental priority and economic necessity.
As Hong Kong is seeking to reinforce its international relevance while deepening integration with national development strategies, the blue economy offers a clear path forward. It builds on existing strengths, aligns with global trends and opens up new avenues for regional collaboration.
Hong Kong has always been shaped by its relationship with the sea. Today, that relationship can be redefined. By taking a more deliberate and coordinated approach to the blue economy, the city can strengthen its role in the Greater Bay Area while securing a more sustainable and competitive future.


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The CM Hong Kong docking in Tsing Yi in 2025. Hong Kong completed its first green methanol bunkering operation in March 2026, supplying biomethanol and fossil methanol to the ship. Photo: Dickson Lee


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Hong Kong has a strong foundation to lead in financing the marine economy. Photo: Sun Yeung

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With the Greater Bay Area as the regional ecosystem, maritime tourism, blue bonds and marine innovation are three areas of opportunity


With the Greater Bay Area as the regional ecosystem, maritime tourism, blue bonds and marine innovation are three areas of opportunity.


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As Hong Kong recalibrates, the blue economy offers an anchor

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}With the Greater Bay Area as the regional ecosystem, maritime tourism, blue bonds and marine innovation are three areas of opportunity

With the Greater Bay Area as the regional ecosystem, maritime tourism, blue bonds and marine innovation are three areas of opportunity