In response to global trends in maritime decarbonization and the energy transition, a ceremony themed “Sustainable Green Energy, Setting Sail Toward Net Zero” was held today (October 5) at the Port of Kaohsiung’s Sixth Container Terminal to mark the launch of marine biofuel bunkering services. Representatives from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), the Maritime Port Bureau (MPB), Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC), CPC Corporation, Taiwan (CPC), and shipping companies participated in the event. Through public-private collaboration, Taiwan’s first marine biofuel bunkering operation for an oceangoing vessel was successfully completed, marking an important milestone in the development of alternative marine fuel services at Taiwan’s ports and in aligning Taiwan’s maritime sector with the global energy transition.
To support the international maritime sector’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and Taiwan’s net-zero transition policy, MOTC established the cross-agency “Maritime Alternative Fuel Working Platform” in 2025, bringing together government and industry stakeholders to actively promote the development of alternative marine fuels. A phased approach has been adopted to progressively build alternative marine fuel service capabilities, with marine biofuels as the focus of the first phase. The launch of marine biofuel bunkering services at the Port of Kaohsiung marks a further step in turning Taiwan’s maritime energy transition policies into practical port operations. Through public-private collaboration, Taiwan will continue to strengthen its alternative marine fuel service capabilities and enhance the competitiveness of its ports.
Cheng-Hua Han, Director General of the Department of Navigation and Aviation, MOTC, stated that today’s successful launch of marine biofuel bunkering services at the Port of Kaohsiung demonstrates the significant progress achieved through collaboration between government and industry in turning energy transition policies into concrete action at the port.
Yeh Hsieh-lung, Director-General of the Maritime and Port Bureau, emphasized that the official launch of biofuel bunkering services at the Port of Kaohsiung today marks a significant milestone following the establishment of the fuel platform and exemplifies the collaboration among the government, port authorities, energy suppliers, and the shipping industry. Moving forward, the Bureau will promote LNG bunkering while closely monitoring the maturity and international development of zero-carbon fuels such as methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia.
Joe Y. Chou, Chairman of TIPC, stated that, as Taiwan’s largest international commercial port, the Port of Kaohsiung is home to many major shipping companies and is served by an extensive network of international shipping routes. Together with the established petrochemical and energy industry base at the port’s Intercontinental Container Terminal Phase 2, these advantages provide favorable conditions for the development of diversified marine fuel bunkering services. The Port of Kaohsiung was therefore selected as the starting point for the initiative, with marine biofuel bunkering services officially launched today, opening a new chapter in the sustainable development of Taiwan’s maritime sector.
The marine biofuel for this initiative is supplied by CPC. Compared with conventional fossil-based marine fuels, it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 20%. In addition, CPC has obtained ISCC EU, ensuring full traceability of the fuel’s carbon footprint. CPC can also provide sustainability documentation to shipping companies as supporting evidence of the emissions reductions achieved by their vessels. Domestic and international shipping companies that require biofuel bunkering—or are interested in learning more—when calling at the Port of Kaohsiung may contact CPC, to join in the effort to reduce carbon emissions in the shipping industry.
With strong support from major shipping companies, vessels operated by Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp., WAN HAI LINES, and China Steel Express Corporation (CSE) have successively bunkered marine biofuel at the Port of Kaohsiung, with a combined volume of 1,200 metric tons. During today’s event, Yang Ming’s YM UNIFORMITY not only bunkered marine biofuel but also connected to shore power while at berth, reducing onboard fuel consumption and carbon emissions during port operations. These efforts demonstrate the achievements of Taiwan’s maritime industry in advancing its green transition and putting low-carbon shipping into practice. Evergreen Marine Corporation is also committed to advancing low-carbon shipping. Its fleet has been equipped with exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers), and the company plans to arrange biofuel bunkering for its vessels when high-sulfur biofuel becomes available. Additionally, U-Ming Marine Transport supported the biofuel bunkering service at the Port of Kaohsiung during this ceremony; should the need for biofuel bunkering at the port arise in the future, the company will coordinate with CPC.
The launch of marine biofuel bunkering services at the Port of Kaohsiung marks an important step in Taiwan’s development of alternative marine fuel services and reflects the maritime sector’s shared commitment to a sustainable future. Under the guidance of MOTC, TIPC will continue to work closely with government and industry partners, in line with global developments in alternative marine fuels and the evolving needs of the shipping industry. Through these efforts, Taiwan will progressively strengthen its ports’ capabilities to provide a diverse range of alternative marine fuel services, provide practical support for shipping companies in aligning with the global net-zero transition, and advance Taiwan’s maritime sector steadily toward a sustainable, net-zero future.
Provided by：Port Business Division, Port of Kaohsiung
Contact Person：Spencer Lin
Telephone No.：+886-7-5622194
E-mail Address：T03908@twport.com.tw
Photos
Image 1. Group photo 1
Image 2. Chairman of TIPC, Yung-Hui CHOU is delivering a speech
Image 3. Group photo 2
Image 4. Group photo 3
Image 5. Group photo 4
