Recently, YANTIAN has achieved a series of landmark breakthroughs in green shipping, including the first green methanol bunkering operation in the Greater Bay Area and Shenzhen's first bonded LNG bunkering at anchorage. These milestones underscore YANTIAN's commitment to advancing development while ensuring safety.

YANTIAN extends its sincere appreciation to the Shenzhen Municipal Government, the Yantian District Government, and all port supervisory authorities for their strong support and guidance. Through close coordination and joint efforts, a solid foundation has been laid for building the Greater Bay Area into a world-class green shipping hub.

First green methanol bunkering in the Greater Bay Area: Establishing a new paradigm for green marine fuel supply

On January 21, Daqing 268, China's first dual-fuel methanol bunkering vessel, successfully delivered 200 tonnes of green methanol to the “COSCO SHIPPING Carnation” at YANTIAN. This maiden operation marked a critical milestone, achieving a breakthrough in green fuel bunkering capabilities within the Greater Bay Area. It also signifies that YANTIAN has officially established its green methanol bunkering service capability. This milestone represents a major breakthrough for South China in the provision of green marine fuels and provides strong support for the Greater Bay Area in its drive to become a world-class green shipping hub.

Green methanol, identified by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as a core fuel for shipping decarbonisation, can significantly reduce emissions of sulfur oxides (SOₓ), particulate matter, and carbon dioxide. With shipping now included in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and the FuelEU Maritime regulation coming into effect, global demand for low-carbon marine fuels such as green methanol continues to rise. Industry analyses suggest that by 2030, annual global demand for green methanol in the shipping sector could reach tens of millions of tonnes, with the potential to expand into a market of hundreds of millions of tonnes over the longer term.

Breakthrough in anchorage LNG bunkering: Innovative measures to better balance development and safety

YANTIAN's innovations in green LNG bunkering

2022｜World's fourth and South China's first LNG bunkering port
In November 2022, YANTIAN completed its first LNG bunkering operation for an international-sailing vessel, becoming the world's fourth and South China's first hub port capable of providing LNG bunkering services.

2024｜China's first dual-vessel LNG bunkering at a single terminal
In June 2024, two international-sailing vessels simultaneously completed LNG bunkering operations at YANTIAN, marking a national first.

2025｜China's first Shenzhen LNG bunkering vessel providing services in Hong Kong
In June 2023, during a visit to the Hong Kong Transport and Logistics Bureau together with the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), YANTIAN proposed for the first time that Shenzhen-based LNG bunkering vessels could provide services in Hong Kong. This proposal was realized on February 14, 2025, with LNG bunkering conducted at Hong Kong anchorage, and was further extended on November 16, 2025, to LNG bunkering operations at a Hong Kong terminal, effectively strengthening and enhancing Hong Kong's position as an international shipping centre.

2026｜Shenzhen's first bonded LNG bunkering at anchorage
On January 13, 2026, an LNG bunkering vessel successfully completed a bonded LNG bunkering operation at the LNG emergency anchorage outside Mirs Bay at YANTIAN, marking Shenzhen’s first bonded LNG bunkering operation at anchorage.

On the same day, the LNG bunkering vessel “Haiyang Shiyou 301” successfully delivered 5,238.5 cubic metres of LNG fuel to “MSC GABRIELLA” at the LNG emergency anchorage. This milestone operation signifies the official establishment of an international bonded LNG bunkering centre featuring both anchorage and terminal services, filling a critical gap in Shenzhen's anchorage bunkering capabilities.

Compared with terminal-based bunkering, anchorage bunkering offers greater operational flexibility and does not occupy berths. It effectively meets the short-time, high-efficiency bunkering needs of international liner services, as well as the flexible and convenient requirements of transit tankers, bulk carriers, and Ro-Ro vessels. At the same time, anchorage bunkering places higher demands on operational conditions, safety assurance, and regulatory coordination. This key breakthrough is the result of close, synchronised collaboration among port operators, customs, maritime authorities, border inspection agencies, and other relevant government departments, working in parallel with enterprises.

The successful implementation of anchorage LNG bunkering complements YANTIAN's existing LNG bunkering services and further enhances Shenzhen's comprehensive bonded LNG bunkering service system. It lays a solid foundation for the regular rollout of anchorage LNG bunkering services and for attracting more international-going vessels to choose Shenzhen for green marine fuel supply. This achievement strongly supports the green, low-carbon, and sustainable development of YANTIAN, injecting renewed green momentum into Shenzhen's efforts to build an international shipping hub and develop into a global marine centre.

YANTIAN will continue to expand its global shipping network, strengthening supply chain connectivity worldwide and building a higher-standard international shipping hub. The port will contribute to Shenzhen's drive to become a logistics centre with global influence, help consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's position as a leading international maritime hub, and jointly advance the Greater Bay Area's global competitiveness—all while supporting China's dual carbon goals and promoting the high-quality development of foreign trade.