Green Port Operations in Hong Kong

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The journey toward green port operations in Hong Kong began 20 years ago. This can be attributed to the circumstances surrounding port operations and the foresight of management. The unloading, locating, and loading of containers is a highly industrialized endeavor. And in the case of Hong Kong such operations take place amid a densely populated metropolis. 

We look at how two of Hong Kong’s leading terminal operators Modern Terminals Limited, and Hongkong International Terminals Limited (HIT) have travelled the green road so far and so quickly.

Decarbonisation

Since 2005 both operators have introduced decarbonisation measures incrementally. Chief among these measures have been:

• Electrification of RTGCs: Transitioning from diesel-powered rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGCs) to hybrid and eventually to fully electric ones to reduce carbon emissions.
• Autonomous Trucks: Launching a proof of concept of autonomous trucks running on electricity to enhance efficiency and lower emissions.
• Fossil-Fuel to Electric Vehicles: Gradually replacing fossil-fuel powered vehicles by electric ones to support a greener fleet.
• Renewable Energy Integration: Implementing solar photovoltaic systems to harness renewable energy sources
• LED Lighting: Upgrading conventional lighting to LED technology in cranes and buildings to reduce energy consumption.

Horace Lo, Group Managing Director of Modern Terminals recalls: “We signed the Clean Air Charter in 2005 as a commitment to reduce emissions. In 2006, we set up our Environment Committee and established our Environmental Policy to drive our environmental initiatives. As a start, we used LPG forklifts and launched our pilot test of hybrid-RTG (rubber-tyred gantry crane).” 

Other notable initiatives achieved in recent years by the operator include, being the first terminal operator in Hong Kong to use water-based paint for the internal surfaces of the crane structure when it took delivery of five new quay cranes in October 2017. Deploying the paint reduces more than 95% of volatile organic compound.