World's first methanol-powered car carrier sets sail from HK
發佈日期: 2025-09-28 19:40
TVB News
The world's first methanol-powered transoceanic car carrier has set sail from Tsing Yi, carrying nearly 10,000 vehicles to Europe.
By using green methanol as fuel, the ship can cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70 percent.
Embarking on its maiden voyage from Hong Kong is this giant at sea. From the bridge, it resembles an elephant with a long trunk.
Commissioned by China Merchants Group and named after the city, the 220-metre-long vessel "CM Hong Kong" set sail with the Hong Kong SAR flag from Tsing Yi this morning.
Its green hull represents the use of green fuel, and it is the world's first car carrier powered by methanol which can slash greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70 percent, though it can also run on conventional fuel.
With a total deck area of 78,000 square metres, equivalent to 11 standard football fields, the vessel offers over 9,400 parking spaces with 13 cargo decks and was built at a cost of 96 million U.S. dollars, or about 740 million Hong Kong dollars. It can also load buses and trucks.
Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Eric Chan, chief secretary for administration of the SAR government, attended the launch ceremony.
With Hong Kong setting its sights on cementing its role as a green maritime fuel bunkering hub, Chan says the government will roll out relevant tax concessions.
He added the government will propose legislative amendments to provide tax concessions for methanol used as fuel for outbound vessels.
He also says the government is inviting expressions of interest from the industry for developing green bunker fuel storage facilities in Tsing Yi South.
