Asia/Pacific News
China Pollution Reduction Plan Expected to be a Key Driver for LNG Bunkers
Richard Colwall, Managing Director at BMT Asia Pacific Ltd. (BMT Asia Pacific) says China's Ship and Port Pollution Prevention Special Action Plan (SPPSAP) will be the key driver for the adoption of liquid natural gas (LNG) as marine fuel in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta (PRD), Steatrade Maritime reports.
The SPPSAP is said to be aimed at cutting sulfur dioxide emissions in the PRD, Yangtze River Delta, and Bohai Rim by 65 percent by the year 2020, with the region expected to eventually become an Emissions Control Area (ECA).
"That timeframe (2015-2020), suggests a degree of urgency," said Colwill.
The changes mean both international and local marine traffic will "without a doubt" be caught up in the new legislation, he says, but noted work was still needed on the "four pillars" of policy, price, people, and physical infrastructure, in order to make LNG bunkers a viable choice.
In particular, Colwill explained that gaps within infrastructure and the required regulatory framework need to be addressed as soon as possible within Hong Kong's Legislative Council, as well as stakeholder buy-in and acceptance of LNG by the public.
"People don't understand LNG, there are scare stories, inflammatory comment and all this is not helpful," said Colwell.
"We've got to get in agreement not just on the principles but specific plans for action."
In June, Beijing's Ministry of Environmental Protection said it was seeking public feedback on proposed legislation that could regulate emissions from marine traffic in China.
