On 2 November 2022, "Xin Ao Pu Tuo Hao", the world’s largest LNG bunker vessel fitted with Type C tanks, successfully delivered 7,000 cubic meters of LNG via ship-to-ship transfer to “CMA CGM Sorbonne" at Hutchison Ports YANTIAN (YANTIAN), one of the busiest container terminals globally. “CMA CGM Sorbonne", with a carrying capacity of 23,000 TEU, is the world's largest dual-fuel-powered container vessel under the CMA CGM Group. This marks the first LNG bunkering operation performed in South China.

A ceremony to mark the event held on the same day was attended by Qin Weizhong, Deputy Secretary of CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Mayor of Shenzhen, and officials of Shenzhen Municipal Government and Yantian District Government. 

With the bunkering operation successfully conducted for a long-haul container vessel, YANTIAN has thus become the fourth hub port in the world and the first hub port in South China to have LNG bunkering service capabilities after Port of Singapore, Port of Rotterdam, and Port of Shanghai. It is also part of YANTIAN's efforts to establish itself as a green port. 

To ensure this operation and many more to come a complete success, YANTIAN has stringently followed rules and regulations made by Shenzhen Municipal and Yantian District Maritime Bureaus, carried out all joint operation plans in a strict manner, completed detailed risk assessment, and developed contingency plans. 

The bunkering service substantially reduces the operating costs of new energy-powered vessels, which is expected to attract more LNG-powered vessels to call at the port. It has also harnessed the service strength of the port, and enhanced the competitiveness of YANTIAN as an international shipping hub.  

An industry leader across the region, YANTIAN has been a proud advocate of green port development over the years, utilising various sustainability technologies for a well balance between operation efficiency, social responsibility and environmental conservation. The bunkering operation is a testimony to the port's commitment and efforts made over the years in contribution to energy conservation and emission reduction. 

Carbon emission intensity is one of the key performance indicators of the green transformation of a port. For the past ten years starting 2012, YANTIAN's carbon emission intensity has steadily gone down amid an increase in overall container throughput. The reduction of emission intensity can be attributed to the transformation of cranes' power source from diesel to electricity, application of clean energy for internal trucks, development of shore-to-ship power, etc. 

Looking ahead, YANTIAN will expedite its pace to transform and upgrade port equipment towards electrification, improve energy efficiency, and explore the application of renewable energy in localised scenarios to create a sustainable port ecosystem.