[251010.EN.SEA] Thirteen Container Lines Vow to Use Costly, Eco-fuel in Hong Kong

THE Hong Kong Liner Shipping Association (HKLSA) has 13 members signed up to the Fair Winds Charter, an agreement to use low-sulphur fuel in Hong Kong harbour, which now includes APL, Evergreen, CMA CGM, Hamburg Sud, Alianca, Hapag-Lloyd, Hanjin, Hyundai, Maersk, MOL, NYK Line, OOCL, and Yang Ming.

HKLSA says the low-sulphur fuel is "very expensive" and will cost to each line between US$1 million to $2 million annually. 

Earlier, HKLSA secretary Roberto Giannetta told the Hong Kong Shipping Gazette that the cost would be borne by shippers - and locally by the 100,000 passengers who use the Hong Kong ferries every day if the cost fuel scheme is ever applied to them.

While the HKLSA wants low-sulphur fuel use imposed on Hong Kong ferries, it is first urging the Hong Kong government to press the Guangdong government to impose expensive fuel use in the Pearl River Delta to ensure mainland ports do not benefit from Hong Kong's extra environmental costs.

This represents more than 80 per cent throughput of HKLSA in Hong Kong and would involve some 430 vessels of participating lines, amounting to more than 5,300 vessel calls per year.

The charter proposes that participating member shipping lines will voluntarily switch to low-sulphur fuel while at berth in Hong Kong, between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012.

Participating vessels at berth will convert to low-sulphur fuel in auxiliary generators that power shipboard electrical systems.

HKLSA has requested the Hong Kong SAR government to speed up discussion with the Guangdong government to introduce regulations consistent with international standards on ship emissions on both Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta by December 31, 2012.

The association also seeks to encourage container terminals to support this initiative by offering advantages to participating ships, as well as by addressing emissions from cargo handling equipment, and the trucks and local craft that service the terminals.

HKLSA believes this will offer a more effective approach towards better air quality in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta (PRD), saving up to 80 per cent of emissions from sulphur dioxide and particles. It will also ensure a level playing field for the industry, and enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong and PRD ports.

Source : HKSG, 25.10.10.