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Global fuel crisis grounds 80% of Hong Kong’s fishing fleet ahead of annual moratorium

Fishermen say the price of industrial diesel has doubled since the start of the Middle East war, making it unsustainable to take their vessels out to sea.

Published: 4:42pm, 15 Apr 2026Updated: 4:45pm, 15 Apr 2026

The war in the Middle East has raised the price of “red oil”, the tax-free industrial diesel used by Hong Kong’s maritime sector, from HK$1,000 (US$128) to over HK$2,000 per 200-litre (53-gallon) drum. It has forced nearly all of Hong Kong’s fishing fleet to dock earlier than usual for an annual fishing moratorium, hurting the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen and impacting the supply of fresh seafood for the city’s residents.

Global fuel crisis grounds 80% of Hong Kong’s fishing fleet ahead of annual moratorium

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Fishermen say the price of industrial diesel has doubled since the start of the Middle East war, making it unsustainable to take their vessels out to sea.

Fishermen say the price of industrial diesel has doubled since the start of the Middle East war, making it unsustainable to take their vessels out to sea.