Asia/Pacific News
Another Australian Port Sees Complaints Over Cruise Emissions
Australia's Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the Port of Melbourne Corporation have both received complaints from residents near the Port of Melbourne regarding the potentially harmful effects of cruise ship emissions, Australian media reports.
According to the residents association, locals are concerned about emissions from berthed cruise ships, along with the daily ferry service of TT-Line Pty. Ltd's Spirit of Tasmania.
Port of Melbourne Corporation chief executive Nick Easy reportedly acknowledged the complaints, having said that the port authority would work with the EPA on the issue.
Spirit of Tasmania representative Soniya Cooper also maintained that the fuel used aboard the vessel was of "an internationally accepted standard, within required and regulated parameters."
The concerns echo the complaints issued previously by residents in Sydney Harbour, who complained that bunker emissions from cruise ships were causing locals to get sick.
Last month, the issue also made its way into the re-election campaign of New South Wales Premier Mike Baird, who has promised to place a sulfur cap on marine fuel for cruise ships at berth in its ports.
