Asia/Pacific News
Hong Kong Pleased with Shenzhen Green Initiative
Hong Kong's Environment Bureau says it welcomes a new initiative released today by the nearby city of Shenzhen that will encourage ocean-going vessels to switch to low-sulfur fuel when berthing there.
"The scheme marks a big step forward for regional collaboration in the use of green port measures to reduce emissions from marine vessels in the Pearl River Delta (PRD)," the bureau wrote.
Hong Kong began its own incentive plan in September 2012, reducing port facilities and dues for ships using the less-polluting fuel, and it is now drafting a regulation to mandate the fuel switch next year.
By working together, the two local governments plan to contribute to the improvement of air quality in the region and to help hit 2015 and 2020 emissions reduction targets set by the governments of Hong Kong and Guangdong Province.
Hong Kong said it will continue collaborating with Guangdong and Shenzhen.
Shipping industry players have warned that Hong Kong's demand that ships use low-sulfur fuel could push vessels to berth at Shenzhen instead.
