Letter to the editor of Lloyd's List Asia - Response to an article on fuel switch at berth
We refer to the article titled "Hong Kong holding back on emission rules amid competitiveness concerns" published on 20 January 2015.
The Hong Kong Government is determined to mandate ocean-going vessels (OGVs) to switch to low-sulphur fuel while at berth in Hong Kong waters. We are now drafting the regulation with a view to effecting it in the middle of this year, subject to the approval of the Legislative Council. Hong Kong is one of the few places in the world that have mandated or are in the process of mandating this fuel switch requirement. In Asia, we are the first one to do so. The law drafting process will inevitably take longer time because we need to fully understand the practices of OGVs in drafting the new regulation.
As for designating Pearl River Delta waters as an Emission Control Area, the application to the International Maritime Organization has to be made at the State level. We must also complete in-depth studies to demonstrate the need to prevent, reduce and control emissions from ships. Given the enormity and technical complexity of the task, we have given priority to mandating OGVs at berth to switch to cleaner fuel. Meanwhile, we are liaising with relevant Guangdong authorities to explore the feasibility of making the fuel switch a common requirement for ports in the region.
Dave TY Ho
Principal Environmental Protection Officer (Air Policy)
Environmental Protection Department