Hong Kong’s first green loan for logistics sector, worth US.13 billion, will finance cold storage facility in Kwai Chung
In an action program for logistics advancement to be revealed later on this year, the authorities will formulate procedures to realise sensible development, modernisation, sustainability and internationalisation in the sector, Main Government John Lee Ka-chiu claimed during his 2nd policy handle on October 25.
Groundbreaking ceremony to initiate the enhancement of the new chilly storage and logistics facility in Kwai Chung. Photograph: Chinachem Group&#xA&#xA

The prepared chilly storage centre in Kwai Chung will purpose to achieve eco-friendly constructing certification this kind of as BEAM In addition New Creating Platinum and LEED Gold, with 30 for each cent of the web page place selected for greenery. BEAM stands for Building Environmental Evaluation Method, and LEED stands for Management in Energy and Environmental Layout.

To obtain the BEAM Additionally platinum score, a making ought to score at minimum 75 details out of 100, according to the Hong Kong Inexperienced Creating Council, which operates the plan.

Factors are awarded for variables these types of as lower carbon electrical power use, human health and effectively-being, green development methods and wise design and style and systems.

Other concerns incorporate sustainable web page improvement, use of environmentally friendly components, squander reduction, preserving drinking water and recycling.

To obtain LEED Gold, 60 to 79 points need to be gained by means of credits relating to local weather alter, human wellness, drinking water means, biodiversity, green overall economy, impression on the local community and organic assets, in accordance to the US Environmentally friendly Creating Council which operates the process.

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Company, United Abroad Lender and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation had been the direct arrangers, bookrunners and underwriters of the financial loan.

Monetary conditions these as the fascination level or any penalty and reward system for the completion and sustainability of the green making attributes have been not disclosed.

The logistics challenge will advance the shared surroundings, and the social and governance priorities of equally companies, while aligning with Chinachem’s commitment to “the balance of individuals, prosperity, and planet”, said the company’s CEO, Donald Choi.

In August 2022, Hong Kong-listed ESR, the premier logistics authentic estate manager with a concentration on Asia-Pacific, and unlisted Chinachem Group introduced that they had fashioned a joint enterprise to establish the facility in Kwai Chung. It was Chinachem’s 1st foray into the logistic sector.

They cited limited need in the sector to aid their small business situation. Logistics area vacancy stood at just 1.4 per cent in the 2nd quarter of final year, with no new supply in the pipeline and a million sq. feet of chilly storage house established to be transformed to details centres by August 2026.

Anticipated to be done in 2027, the new facility will have very good highway transport hyperlinks to the city’s organization districts, airport and border with mainland China, in accordance to the builders.

ESR Group won the tender for the website, at the junction of Mei Ching Road and Container Port Highway South, in July previous yr for HK$5.26 billion (US$670 million). The conditions allows for a optimum gross ground region of 138,000 square metres to be designed.

Only two environmentally friendly financial loans – like the a person declared by ESR and Chinachem – amounting to US$1.33 billion ended up recorded in Hong Kong’s authentic estate sector so significantly this 12 months, down 71 for each cent from the exact interval in 2022, in accordance to Refinitiv information. For green loans in all industries in the metropolis, the quantity fell 57 per cent to US$4.4 billion throughout 15 transactions.