Asia/Pacific News
Shenzhen Pushes For "Very Aggressive" 2018 Deadline for Pearl River Delta ECA
Local government in Chinese port city Shenzhen is pushing a "very aggressive" deadline for the implemention of an Emissions Control Area (ECA) covering the Pearl River Delta by 2018, South China Morning Post reports.
Deputy Director at Shenzhen's Human Settlements and Environment Commission, Li Shuisheng, has said the local government there is pushing for a zone that would require the use of low sulfur bunker fuel, with the hope it would expand across the country.
"We hope to set an example for other coastal ports in China and that our efforts will be acknowledged by the central government, eventually leading to nationwide policies," he said.
Neighbouring Hong Kong is already aiming to legislate for all ocean-going vessels docking at the port to use low-sulfur fuel while at berth, but the legislation is facing delays.
"2018 is a very aggressive date," Christine Loh Kung-Wai, Hong Kong's Undersecretary for the Environment, said.
"We are very supportive of the idea to set up [such an area]...but there is a lot of work involved," she said.
No precise details have yet been released as to the proposed permissible levels of sulfur or the precise area to be covered, but the report suggested more is expected to be announced this week.
Shenzhen's local has also said it will spend RMB200 million (U.S.$32.5 million) on cash rebates to shipping companies that voluntarily switch to using low-sulfur bunkers while at berth.
