Asia/Pacific News
NGO: "There Must Be No Delay" in Hong Kong Sulfur Rules
The Hong Kong government should "step up its efforts" to establish an Emissions Control Area (ECA) in the Pearl River Delta, Kwong Sum Yin, chief executive officer of the Clean Air Network, writes in the South China Morning Post.
"Cargo and passenger marine vessels in our waters have become the biggest source of sulphur dioxide and respirable suspended particulate emissions," he writes.
"There must be no delay in tightening the cap on the sulphur content of locally supplied marine diesel and requiring ocean-going vessels to switch to low-sulphur fuel while at berth."
Kwan also argues that the Kai Tai Cruise Terminal must install facilities to allow ships to use shore power "as soon as possible," saying that dozens of cruise ships will berth there this year.
"Emissions at the terminal will increase very quickly, threatening the health of the people in East Kowloon," he writes.
Hong Kong officials have said they will reduce the local cap on sulfur content of bunker fuel to 0.5 percent starting in January 2015, and that they will seek funding for shore power at the cruise terminal.
