Green fuel trial for ferries
Adele Wong (The Standard)
Aug 26, 2009
Local ferries will be using “green” fuel in a nine-month trial subsidized by the government to help clear Hong Kong’s air.Sources from the Environmental Protection Department say the scheme, which was launched yesterday, involves three ferry companies switching to ultra-low sulfur diesel instead of the current marine light diesel.
“Domestic ferries are a major source of maritime air pollution emissions, accounting for 40 to 70 percent of the air pollutants emitted from all local vessels,” the source said.
Local vessels make up about 25 percent of all vessels – half of them ferries – in Hong Kong.
The project is estimated to cost about HK$10 million, including fuel subsidies to help absorb the increased costs of the greener fuel.
The three ferry companies are New World First Ferry Services, Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry and Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry Company, which together are using five ferries in the trial.
The source said the ultra-low sulfur diesel on average costs about 60 HK cents more than regular marine fuel, at about HK$4.50 per liter.
But prices change depending on market conditions.
Switching to the new fuel can reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by more than 90 percent as the actual sulfur content is only about 1 percent of that of marine light diesel, the source said. Particulate emissions will also be reduced by 10 percent.
Meanwhile, a monitoring committee comprising representatives from the Environmental, Marine and Transport departments and local ferry trade representatives will be set up.
A refilling station has been built for the ferries.
The source agreed that switching to a greener fuel alone cannot prevent all pollution from vessels. Engine maintenance also plays a role, the source said, adding the companies have a responsibility to keep up maintenance.
The government’s own fleet was converted to the ultra-low sulfur diesel in 2007 and no major problems have been observed, the source said.
Concerns that using lower sulfur content in the fuel can wear out engines quicker can be addressed by substituting sulfur with other less harmful components, the source said.
The government is so far aware of the state of California also using ultra- low sulfur diesel for its vessels, but is unsure whether other countries in the world do so.
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=86905&sid=25129708&con_type=1&d_str=20090826&sear_year=2009
Related Posts
- Transport firms seek funding to upgrade bus fleets, switch to cleaner fuel in ferries
- Greener fuel standards proposed for vehicles
- Hong Kong hopefuls test time-trial tunnel
- Ferry operators get assurance on the cost of cleaner diesel
- Legco: Environmental Affairs Panel meeting on Pilot Green Transport Fund
