- NatPower Marine and Wah Kwong launch joint venture to deliver large-scale shore power infrastructure in Hong Kong and across Asia
- First dedicated marine electrification, focused on grid-connected electricity and vessel charging venture in Asia, with a global network, focused on grid-connected electricity for ships at berth for cold ironing and propulsion
- In addition to its £250 million shore power investment in the UK, NatPower Marine is unlocking £10 billion in global investment, targeting 120 electrified ports by 2030
- Backed by NatPower Group, an international renewables developer with a 30+ GW pipeline in clean energy projects
- Wah Kwong, established in 1952, owns, operates, and manages a diverse fleet of ships for customers across global markets. Wah Kwong’s investment cements its position as a leader in marine decarbonisation, adding to its existing growth ventures in LNG Shipping and renewable fuel.
- Interview opportunities are available with senior executives from both companies
(London / Hong Kong – 4 September 2025) – In a major international push to cut shipping emissions, global clean infrastructure developer NatPower Marine and leading Asian shipowner Wah Kwong Maritime Transport have launched a joint venture to build and operate a dedicated network of electric shore power stations across Asia.
The new company, Wah Kwong NatPower Holdings, will develop grid-connected infrastructure at major ports in Hong Kong, with plans to develop partnerships in Greater China and infrastructure across North Asian markets, by enabling vessels to switch off fossil-fuel auxiliary engines while using shore-based power at berth and plug into zero-emission electricity for providing clean electricity for cold ironing and propulsion.
“As part of the wider Wah Kwong Group strategy, we continue to form new ventures delivering diversified decarbonisation solutions to address industry needs. This venture brings the industrial logic, financial backing and technical certainty the region has been anticipating in marine electrification,” said Hing Chao, Executive Chairman of Wah Kwong. “Asia’s ports are the backbone of global trade and now they must become the frontlines of climate action,” said Stefano D.M. Sommadossi, CEO of NatPower Marine UK and Joint Director of the new company. “This partnership gives us the reach, capability and credibility to deliver the infrastructure needed to support net zero shipping at scale.”
“We are applying our deep energy infrastructure experience to accelerate the maritime transition. This joint venture is about building the systems, powered by renewables, that will help the global shipping sector decarbonise faster,” adds Fabrizio Zago, Founder & Group CEO, NatPower and CEO, NatPower Marine Global.
“After the official setup of Venture Energy in June this year, the launch of this joint venture is a milestone in our partnership strategy,” added Greg McMillan, Director of Wah Kwong NatPower Holdings. “By leveraging our shipping expertise and NatPower Marine’s strength as a shore electrification partner, we are another step closer to creating a greener future in the region.”
Wah Kwong, founded in 1952, is one of Hong Kong’s most established shipowners, with global operations across ship owning, ship management, dry bulk operating and energy. Wah Kwong plays an active role in forging decarbonisation partnerships and demonstrating technical feasibility in sophisticated maritime operations, such as the technical management of China’s first LNG bunkering vessel and green methanol bunkering vessels.
NatPower Marine is part of the NatPower Group, a Luxembourg-headquartered renewable energy developer with over 30 GW of solar, wind, battery storage, and hydrogen projects globally. The Group operates across Europe, North America, and Asia.
Delivering Scalable Clean Infrastructure for Ports
The new joint venture aims to launch its first projects in 2026, targeting high-traffic ferry and container terminals across Asia. It plans to deploy shore power infrastructure for cold ironing and propulsion at more than 30 ports by 2030, creating the backbone of Asia’s first clean charging corridor for ships.
Operating under a Charge Point Operator (CPO) model, Wah Kwong NatPower Holdings will fully fund, build and manage the infrastructure, removing the need for upfront investment from port authorities. Each site will be equipped with an integrated shore power system, including shore-side substations, battery energy storage and smart grid interfaces to support both cold ironing and vessel propulsion charging. The JV mirrors the privately funded model that NatPower Marine is already deploying in Europe. In the UK and Ireland, the company is investing £100 million to electrify key terminals, including the partnership with Peel Ports Group, delivering shore power and vessel charging infrastructure along the Irish Sea and supporting more than 3,000 vessel movements annually.
“The mission of WK NatPower is to deliver green electricity to ships both at berth for cold ironing and for propulsion through the investment, development, and operation of a comprehensive maritime electrification infrastructure network across Asia,” said Vincent Ni, General Manager of WK NatPower said. “Based in Hong Kong, one of our first objectives is to make a lasting impact locally, providing long-term environmental benefits to residents and enhancing ports competitiveness.”
A Global Clean Port Programme, Backed by Clean Energy
In addition to its £250 million shore power investment in the UK, NatPower Marine is unlocking £10 billion in global investment. Targeting 120 electrified port locations by 2030 with shore power and high-capacity electric charging infrastructure. The network is designed to help the maritime sector meet tightening regulatory targets under the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and regional Emissions Control Areas (ECAs).
NatPower Marine’s parent company, NatPower Group, is also the driving force behind NatPower H, the world’s first international hydrogen refuelling network for recreational boats and marina infrastructure. Already operational in Monaco, Venice, and La Spezia, both NatPower H and NatPower Marine advance the Group’s broader mission to deliver a comprehensive clean energy infrastructure network for the maritime and transport sectors.
“We are creating the infrastructure to future-proof the maritime sector, from ferries to containerships, to cruising ships,” said Sommadossi. “From Liverpool to Hong Kong and beyond, this network will allow global shipping to plug in, convert to sustainable electric fuel, an immediate opportunity for saving and decarbonising without compromise for a greener future.”
Wah Kwong is investing in shipping decarbonisation with several initiatives under Venture Energy, including the first e-methanol bunkering ship in Shanghai.
About NatPower Marine
NatPower Marine, part of the NatPower Group, is developing the largest independent network of ship charging facilities to provide clean electricity for propulsion and a cold ironing solution to the global maritime sector. The company develops the essential end-to-end infrastructure required for the decarbonisation of global supply chain routes, providing shore power to support the electrification of ships for propulsion and cold ironing at berth, at anchor, and offshore.
The NatPower Group is a global energy transition developer with approximately 30 GW of natural power projects, operating in the UK, USA, Italy, Kazakhstan, and other countries. The company has an ambitious expansion plan to become the largest and fastest-growing enabler of the global energy transition. NatPower H, a subsidiary of NatPower Group, is currently building the world’s first green hydrogen refuelling station infrastructure for pleasure yachting.
About WK NatPower
WK NatPower aims to leverage Wah Kwong’s maritime experience and NatPower’s renewable energy expertise to invest in, develop, and operate a comprehensive maritime electrification infrastructure network across Asia. The Company aims to supply clean power for ships at berth for cold ironing and for propulsion, driving the maritime industry towards a sustainable future.
About Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Limited
Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Limited is a family-owned integrated shipping company based in Hong Kong with a global outlook, with offices in Shenzhen, London and Genoa. Established in 1952 by T. Y. Chao and currently managed by the third generation of the Chao family, Wah Kwong owns and operates a diversified fleet of vessels in addition to offering a full range of ship management and marine consultancy services to our customers in China, Asia, Middle East and Europe. Wah Kwong currently has four main business streams ship owning, ship management, dry bulk operating and energy.
