Asia/Pacific News
Air Quality Monitoring Called for Cruise Ships Docked in Australian Port
The Hobart City Council committee in Tasmania, Australia says it would like air quality monitoring to determine if docked cruise ships in the area pose a health hazard, local media reports.
Jeff Briscoe, chairman of the City Planning Committee, says there are concerns that the burning of bunker fuel while ships are in "hotel" mode while at port can cause health potential problems due to sulfur contained in the fuel.
"It is only a concern raised, because we've received no complaints, but there is a lot literature about the effect of high-sulfur content fuels and also some nitrogen oxides are a concern from these fuels as well," said Briscoe.
"Really the council would like some baseline studies done to obviously see if there are any health issues.
"If they do not have that equipment then perhaps they should be getting that equipment," added Briscoe, noting that companies like Nyrstar N.V routinely check air quality and may be able to lend need equipment.
On Monday, the City Planning Committee voted unanimously to recommend to the full council that it put in a request to the Environment Protection Authority to conduct air quality assessments during Hobart's cruise season.
The full council is said to be planning to vote on the air monitoring plan before the end of October.
In May, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) urged Australia to hold off on instituting more stringent sulfur limits without waiting for results from a "science-based study."
