The Legislative Council approved the Air Pollution Control (Ocean Going Vessels) (Fuel at Berth) Regulation today, which will take effect on July 1.
The regulation requires ocean-going vessels to use clean fuels while berthing in Hong Kong to improve air quality.
Compliant fuels required by the regulation are low-sulphur marine fuel (sulphur content not exceeding 0.5%), liquefied natural gas and any other fuels approved by the Director of Environmental Protection.
It prohibits ocean-going vessels from using any fuel other than compliant fuel while at berth in Hong Kong, except during the first hour after arrival and the last hour before departure.
Shipmasters and ship owners must record the date and time of fuel switching and keep the records for three years.
If an ocean-going vessel uses technology that can achieve the same or less sulphur dioxide emission when compared with using low-sulphur marine fuel, the vessel may be exempted from fuel switching.
Shipmasters and owners who fail to switch fuel face six-months' jail and a $200,000 fine, while those who fail to keep records face three-months' jail and a $50,000 fine.
The new regulation will cut sulphur dioxide emissions by 12% and respirable suspended particulates by 6%, improving air quality and reducing health risks.
The Environmental Protection Department will hold briefing sessions on the regulation for the shipping trade in May.
