Asia/Pacific News
Hong Kong Wants 0.5% Sulfur Cap From January 2015
Hong Kong officials have confirmed they will reduce the cap on the sulfur content of bunker fuel to 0.5 percent for vessels in Hong Kong waters starting in January 2015, Platts reports.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) plans to submit the proposal for the 2013-2014 legislative session starting this month.
Vessels are now permitted to operate in the waters using fuel with as much as 3.5 percent sulfur content, while marine gasoil of no more than 1.5 percent sulfur is required at berthing.
The EPD had considered limiting sulfur content to 0.1 percent, and it was not clear why it chose to pursue the 0.5 percent level instead.
Hong Kong also plans to reduce the cap on sulfur content for coastal vessels in its waters from 0.5 percent to 0.05 percent.
"For local marine trades, we completed in January 2013 a technical study, which confirmed the technical feasibility of tightening the sulfur content of local marine diesel from 0.5% to 0.05%," EPD said.
That proposal could be implemented in early 2014.
Companies including Maersk Line had pushed Hong Kong to shift from a voluntary scheme to reduce emissions, arguing that abiding by the limits put them at a competitive disadvantage.
