Green Port Operations in Hong Kong

In May 2018, it deployed the first pure electric driven tractor in Hong Kong and since then a few have been operating at the terminals.

In October 2023, Modern Terminals launched a trial programme of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) at its facilities at Terminal 9 (South) becoming the first company in Hong Kong to deploy this renewable diesel in operations.

“Having achieved a 10-year target in 2018 to reduce our Group’s emissions intensity by over 30%, we established our Sustainability Strategy in 2021 with long term goals.” says Mr Lo.

“We aim to eliminate all our direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our operations by 2030 and to become carbon neutral by 2050. Our direct emissions account roughly half of the total of our scope 1 and scope 2 emissions. To achieve our 2030 goal, we have been looking at different technologies to determine our roadmap. Currently we are looking at electrification, biofuel/renewable diesel, and hydrogen,” said Mr Lo.

HIT, as a member of Hutchison Port Holdings Trust (HPH Trust), has equally ambitious targets it intends to meet on the next phase of the decarbonisation journey, and has also already notched up a number of notable firsts:

HIT was the first Hong Kong terminal operator to reconfigure its existing diesel-powered Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGCs) to run on either electric or hybrid power. 

The operator introduced Hong Kong’s first quay cranes equipped with solar panels on top of machinery houses.

HIT and CLP Power Hong Kong have partnered on a series of decarbonisation initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and promoting sustainability. These efforts include electrifying cranes and vehicles, as well as adopting renewable energy sources, leading to a reduction of over 15,000 tonnes of carbon emissions in 2023.

“As a responsible corporation, HPH Trust continues to promote transparency regarding its carbon footprint and proactively seeks decarbonisation opportunities. In 2023, HPH Trust announced a new target for a longer-term and more ambitious goal, aiming to cut its carbon emissions intensity by 30% between 2021 and 2030. This demonstrates our commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions,” said Ivor Chow, Chief Executive Officer of HPH Trust.

“The Trust mapped out its value chain emissions impact to gain a deeper understanding of its footprint and the activities of its business partners. This exercise is an integral step in the development of our net-zero strategic roadmap.

“We are committed to advancing sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives within the maritime industry. The introduction of green fuels and bunkering infrastructure is poised to significantly enhance the Port of Hong Kong’s appeal to environmentally-conscious shipping lines, elevate the environmental credentials of our operations, and further solidify our position as a forward-thinking, smart and green port.”

Waste Management

The importance of efficient waste management has been a topic on the minds of most Hong Kong citizens this year. The primary aim of waste management is to create a cleaner and greener environment. Such an environment depends on reducing pollutants (water, air, soil etc). Rational waste management provides the opportunity to save energy through recycling and reuse practices.  As a socially responsible member of the community, the Port of Hong Kong has this perpetual problem covered. HIT sums up its current waste management regime succinctly:

“To mitigate environmental pollution, HPH Trust appoints qualified companies to collect waste, including chemicals or hazardous materials to ensure they are handled properly.

Waste generation data is collected periodically and reviewed by the Environmental Steering Committee of HIT to ensure its waste reduction initiatives are well implemented.

Waste materials, including scrap iron, waste wire rope and tyres, are sorted and handed to licensed contractors for recycling.”

Modern Terminals meanwhile, maintains that it recycles all materials capable of recycling with only general daily waste from offices being sent to landfill.

Adapting to climate change

Despite the unstinting efforts of these two terminal operators and others of similar mind, the more general tardiness of global efforts to eliminate greenhouse gases means the world will inevitably face some consequences of existential climate change. There will be more typhoons and they will be more powerful. Temperatures will soar higher still. Without adaptation ports including Hong Kong will be among the most vulnerable to the effects.

“As climate change intensifies globally and stakeholders demand immediate action from corporations, HPH Trust will continue to integrate environmental and climate-related risks and opportunities into its strategic planning and operational decision-making. This aligns with its commitment to safeguarding the environment and enhancing climate resilience at all levels,” added Mr Chow.

“With the assistance of an external consultant, HIT has identified its key climate-related risks, as outlined by HPH Trust, to further analyse to provide a detailed assessment of various climate-related outcomes, which will serve as a framework for formulating proactive and resilient strategies for risk mitigation.”

Similarly, Modern Terminals are making plans ahead.   “We have identified climate-related risks for our company and our ongoing efforts involve comprehending  and prioritising those risks as well as formulating effective mitigating measures for the ones most likely to have implications for our business,” said Mr Lo.  “We have also launched additional measures to help our people tackle the extreme heat.”