*********************************************************
The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said he was pleased to see the Air Pollution Control (Marine Light Diesel) Regulation approved by the Legislative Council today (March 19). The Regulation will introduce regulatory control on the quality of marine light diesel (MLD) with a view to reducing emissions from local vessels with effect from April 1, 2014.
"The Regulation provides for the specifications of the locally supplied MLD, which includes a 0.05 per cent sulphur limit, i.e. a 90 per cent reduction from the current content of about 0.5 per cent," said Mr Wong.
"Vessels operating on 0.05 per cent MLD emit about 90 per cent less sulphur dioxide (SO2) and 30 per cent less respirable suspended particulates (RSPs) than those operating on 0.5 per cent sulphur diesel. Implementing the Regulation will help reduce the total emissions of SO2 and RSPs in Hong Kong by 10 per cent and 4 per cent respectively. This will help improve the ambient air quality and reduce health risks for the population, especially those in the coastal areas," he said.
Any person who supplies non-compliant MLD may be liable to a fine of up to $50,000 and imprisonment for up to three months.
The Environmental Protection Department conducted various briefing sessions for the relevant trades on the implementation of the Regulation in the past months.
Ends/Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:39
NNNN
