Asia/Pacific News
Some Asian ECAs Possible, says Consultancy
Some of the factors that support the adoption of emissions control areas (ECAs) in North America and Europe are less salient in Asia, but there are still parts of that continent that are engaging in anti-emissions initiatives, James Ashworth of the TRI-ZEN energy consultancy told industry news site The Motorship.
Asian gas prices are higher than in the Americas or Europe, making the adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkers more difficult, and environmental issues are often lower on political agendas there, Ashworth said.
Still, Singapore and Malaysia both opened LNG terminals last year and are looking at possible LNG bunkering projects, including a possible floating facility in Singapore.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong has responded to high levels of air pollution in the city and southern China with emissions rules, and the Chinese government has also been working on anti-pollution measures, including promoting the use of LNG bunkers on the Yangtze River.
The creation of ECAs in Korea, Japan, and Australia also appears to be a possibility.
New rules on the sulfur content of locally supplied diesel in Hong Kong took effect in April.
