Hong Kong Upgrades Maritime Waste Transport Network

Hong Kong is undertaking a major revamp of its maritime waste transport system, introducing new ships and cranes to modernize the city’s containerized garbage handling operations.

Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company (ZPMC), a leading Chinese manufacturer, has delivered four ship-to-shore gantry cranes specifically engineered for Hong Kong’s waterborne waste logistics. Each crane is compact in size and designed to lift up to 25.5 tonnes, with a reach of 22.5 meters—ideal for handling waste containers from small vessels that operate between refuse transfer stations (RTS) and landfills located in the New Territories.

Alongside the crane upgrades, five new custom-built container ships are under construction at Jiangmen Hangtong Shipyard, according to shipping intelligence source Alphaliner. The fleet will include a 120 TEU vessel equipped with its own gear to serve smaller island RTS locations, and a larger 216 TEU gearless ship for use at major terminals. One of the vessels, the 120 TEU Mo Sing Leng II, has already successfully completed sea trials.

Hong Kong’s current system involves compressing waste into 20-foot containers at four main RTS facilities before transporting them by sea to landfills. Additionally, seven smaller stations on outlying islands rely on vessels outfitted with mobile gantry cranes due to limited shore-based infrastructure.

These upgrades mark a significant step toward improving efficiency and reliability in the city’s maritime waste handling operations.