HKLSA and HKSA have expressed support for an initiative contained in the Chief Executive's Policy Address to reduce emissions in the maritime sector.
THE Hong Kong Liner Shipping Association (HKLSA) and the Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA) have expressed support for an initiative contained in the Chief Executive's Policy Address to reduce emissions in the maritime sector.
The comments follow a government announcement that it will seek to introduce legislation to make switching to lower sulphur fuel compulsory in Hong Kong port and to step up its efforts with the Guangdong Provincial Government to extend fuel switching to Pearl River Delta ports.
The organisations say this measure will build on the voluntary action already taken by the shipping industry to reduce emissions in Hong Kong under the as yet still voluntary Fair Winds Charter (FWC).
"The pioneering work to switch to low sulphur fuel in Hong Kong under the Fair Winds Charter shows the shipping industry's commitment to work with government to tackle the challenges of marine emissions. We are pleased to see the Chief Executive's support in the Policy Address for action to address this issue, and believe that by working together, government and the shipping industry can achieve significant improvements in air quality in HK," says Tim Smith, chairman of HKLSA.
The voluntary fuel switch by 14 members of the liner shipping industry and four other shipping companies under the FWC is said to have contributed to "substantially reduced pollution in HK since the end of 2010".
The government's move coincides with demands from the local shipping industry for mandatory regulation of maritime emissions to provide a level playing field for all operators, and in a manner consistent with international regulation, while setting progressively tighter emissions standards, a joint release said.
