Media Resources

13 Aug 2026

Transport and Logistics Bureau leads delegation to visit Towngas green methanol project and gain first-hand insights into the Ant Forest ecological initiative

(13 August 2026) Green marine fuels are fast becoming a new frontier in the global race to decarbonise shipping. VENEX, a joint venture of The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas), has made significant strides in the green methanol industry in recent years. Its production facility in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, is currently scaling up its annual green methanol production capacity to 300,000 tonnes. But where does the green feedstock for such massive capacity come from? In August, Towngas invited an industry delegation led by the Transport and Logistics Bureau of the HKSAR Government to Inner Mongolia to tour the VENEX green methanol plant and gain first-hand insights into the local Ant Forest ecological project that underpins this green energy.

The delegation comprised members from 14 companies, organisations, and universities, spanning the entire industry value chain, from fuel production, trading, and bunkering to international shipping, finance, testing and certification, port operations, and scientific research. Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mr Liu Chun-san expressed his hope that the visit would help the delegation understand the latest developments in green marine fuels and explore collaborative opportunities across the government, business, community, and academic sectors.

During the visit, Mr Sham Man-fai, Towngas Chief Operating Officer – Green Fuels and Chemicals and Group Chief Technology Officer, briefed the delegation on VENEX’s green methanol production technologies, environmental operating standards, production scale, and diversified industrial footprint. He also arranged a special tour of the local Ant Forest ecological project. Taking a localised approach, this project cultivates sand willow and other shrubs in the desert, which help prevent the spread of desertification. Waste branches generated through periodic pruning can also be converted into a purely natural, sustainable ecological feedstock for green methanol production. This creates a fully closed-loop industrial cycle: from ecological restoration and feedstock supply to green energy production.

Mr Sham pointed out that the process also involves collaborating with local communities to collect waste branches. This model has become a prime example of promoting local desertification control and a community circular economy, while simultaneously supporting the development of sustainable transport energy. “VENEX’s innovative approach to sustainability has earned both domestic and international recognition. Following the acquisition of two major international certifications—ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS—the project was recently awarded certification under China’s Global Sustainable Transport Certification (GSTC) scheme,” he added.

Additionally, the delegation attended a symposium on green marine fuel industry cooperation in Beijing, hosted by the Global Sustainable Transport Innovation and Knowledge Center (GSTIKC), and participated in an exchange session with the Hydrogen Energy Industry Branch of the China Association for the Promotion of Industrial Development. During the trip, Towngas signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with the GSTIKC to further deepen cooperation in the production, storage, transport, and utilisation of green fuels, and to continuously strengthen research on the international standard system for green marine fuels.

Looking ahead, Towngas will remain committed to enhancing its green methanol production capacity, supply network, and bunkering infrastructure. By aligning a traceable and certifiable green supply chain with international standards, the Company aims to support Hong Kong in building a competitive hub for green marine fuel trading and bunkering.

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Press photos:

Photo 1:

The delegation learns about the production technology at the green methanol plant in Inner Mongolia.

Photo 2:

Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mr Liu Chun-san (1st from left) and Deputy Secretary for Transport and Logistics Miss Amy Chan Yuen-man (centre) lead the delegation on a tour of the central control room at the green methanol plant in Inner Mongolia.

Photo 3:

The delegation visits the VENEX green methanol plant in Inner Mongolia.

Photo 4:

The delegation visits the Ant Forest ecological project during their trip to Inner Mongolia.

Photo 5:

Mr Sham Man-fai (right, front row), Towngas Chief Operating Officer – Green Fuels and Chemicals and Group Chief Technology Officer, and Mr Yan Fei (left, front row), Deputy Director-General of the Global Sustainable Transport Innovation and Knowledge Center, sign the strategic cooperation agreement on behalf of both parties. Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mr Liu Chun-san (right, back row) and Mr Liu Peng (left, back row), Director-General of the Global Sustainable Transport Innovation and Knowledge Center, witness the signing.