The Government announced a proposal to amend the Dutiable Commodities Regulations (Cap. 109A) under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109). The suggested amendment will provide duty exemption for methyl alcohol (MA) to be placed in the fuel tank of an outbound vessel for use as fuel to encourage the development of the local bunkering industry and support the development of Hong Kong as a green maritime fuel bunkering centre.

     The spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "Hong Kong is an international maritime centre and a major maritime fuel bunkering port. To support the green transformation of the international shipping industry, we promulgated the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering in November 2024, setting out a multi-fuel strategy to develop Hong Kong into a green maritime fuel bunkering and trading centre. Out of different green maritime fuels, only MA (including both green MA produced sustainably and conventional MA) is subject to duty under Cap. 109. Therefore, it was announced in the Supplement of the Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address that duty concessions would be provided for methanol used for bunkering of outbound vessels to increase the attractiveness of MA bunkering in Hong Kong and foster the development of the relevant industry."

     The Legislative Council can by resolution approve the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Regulation 2025 made by the Chief Executive in Council under Cap. 109. The Secretary for Transport and Logistics will move a motion at the Legislative Council meeting on October 15 to pass the resolution.

Ends/Friday, September 26, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:08

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