Hong Kong: Air Pollution Control (Ocean Going Vessels) (Fuel at Berth) Regulation to be implemented

The Hong Kong government has announced that vessels will be required to switch-over to low-sulphur fuel by 1 July 2015 or face fines of up to $200,000.

The government has released a statement advising that the Air Pollution Control (Ocean Going Vessels) (Fuel at Berth) Regulation was discussed at the Legislative Council on 18 March 2015 and the Environment Bureau is aiming for the regulation to come into force from 1 July 2015.

The regulation mandates that, (except for the first hour after berthing and the last hour before departure), all ocean-going vessels are required to use marine fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.5% while at berth in Hong Kong, noting that the interpretation of “berth” is a place in the waters of Hong Kong at which a vessel is not underway.

If an ocean-going vessel uses technology that can achieve the same or less sulfur dioxide emission when compared with using low-sulfur marine fuel, the vessel may be exempted from fuel switching upon application to the Hong Kong authorities.

Masters of vessels that fail to switch-over to compliant fuel or do not possess an approved appropriate exemption certificate may face a six month jail sentence and a fine of up to US$200,000.

The new regulation is expected to reduce the total emissions of sulphur oxide by 12% to 6%, improving Hong Kong’s air quality and reducing the health risks associated with pollution.