With the HKSAR Government’s focus on developing the bunkering of fuels from green methanol to hydrogen and facilitating the trading of more low-carbon shipping fuels, Hong Kong is well on the way to reimagining itself as a green maritime hub. Ferdinand LOK (Class of 2023), alumnus of HKUST’s BSc in Environmental Management and Technology (EVMT) program, is riding the waves of this major change. 

Currently working as senior officer of corporate sustainability affairs at shipping powerhouse OOCL, Ferdinand had always harbored the aspiration to contribute towards environmental protection and the betterment of our planet. Studying EVMT was a remarkable first step in taking the fulfilment of his dream in his own hands. “EVMT was at the top of my JUPAS list due to the novelty factor of it being a relatively new course and its blending together of the disciplines of science, engineering, business, and social sciences, which was ideal for me because it could sate my innate curiosity,” he reminisced. 

The abundance of learning activities available to students and the unwavering support of the professors filled Ferdinand with gratitude for the chance to join the EVMT family. He fondly recalls going on a post-pandemic field trip to an Environmental Protection Department observatory on Hong Kong Island, followed by lively chitchatting over a meal together in Stanley, which strengthened the bonding between teachers and students.

“Our professors were equally supportive in helping us achieve goals on our career paths,” emphasized Ferdinand. For instance, his internship opportunity in corporate sustainability affairs at OOCL, which took place from 2022 to 2023 before he joined the company full time, was introduced to him and fellow students by a professor well connected in the industry. Having risen through the ranks at the organization in the past few years, Ferdinand has come full circle as his position allows him to liaise with this professor in recruiting for the company’s internship opportunities.

Some of Ferdinand’s work tasks afforded him valuable site visit opportunities of hopping on board large container vessels and meeting in person the masters and crew members, to learn about their latest ESG practices in advancing clean shipping such as retrofitting vessel engines for green fuel compatibility. “Our government is now endeavoring to make Hong Kong a green maritime hub through measures such as promoting low-carbon maritime fuel. I have faith that our city will be as significant a hub as Singapore through collective efforts from the industry,” he said.

One of Ferdinand’s key responsibilities is compiling the annual ESG report, which requires seamless inter-team collaboration. “I believe that my exposure to various subjects during my EVMT studies honed my ability to work with different stakeholders, enabling me to serve in the role of a connector across departments. Also, my studies helped me develop an open mind, which is of great importance when I take in colleagues’ diverse views,” he said. 

Another key responsibility is facilitating criteria assessments for ESG reporting to help OOCL excel in various global sustainability indices. Studying the ESG Management and Reporting module, which familiarized Ferdinand with the latest ESG benchmarking such as the EU sustainability reporting requirements, provided him with the know-how to deliver on this front.

The module on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a popular tool for measuring the environmental, financial, and social cost of a product or system, also found favor with Ferdinand since it endowed him with the right mindset for evolving alongside sustainability. This comes in handy in his response to shipping clients’ heightening mindfulness about the carbon footprints of their products, from being transported out of warehouses to being carried across the seas into the arms of customers.

Ferdinand’s sub-consultant gig at AECOM and internships with Carrefour Global Sourcing and CLP all taught him to lead cross-department projects effectively and see them through from scratch. “My advice to EVMT students is to try their hand at various opportunities to amass practical experiences, build connections, and gain readiness for their careers ahead,” said Ferdinand, who envisions himself continuing on the voyage of developing as an ESG specialist in the shipping industry, contributing in creating a bigger impact on sustainability in the next five years.