Cleaner Air in Hong Kong Ports
Seventeen major freight liners have signed up to the Fair Winds Charter and committed themselves to switching to cleaner fuel when berthing in Hong Kong. The program will cut emissions of air pollutants substantially near the port area.
Hong Kong is a highly dynamic and vibrant port and a major hub in global supply chain. The growth in maritime activities has increased the air pollution near the port area. In order to reduce maritime air pollution, the Hong Kong Liner Shipping Association has drawn up the Fair Winds Charter to encourage ocean going vessels at berth in Hong Kong to voluntarily switch from high-sulphur bunker oil to 0.5 percent sulphur diesel. The charter is the first initiative of its kind in Asia.
To demonstrate the commitment to the environment, 17 major freight liners have signed up to the Fair Winds Charter to voluntarily switch to clean distillate when berthing from January 2011 to December 2012.
The participating freight liners are Maersk Line, Evergreen, OOCL, Yang Ming (Taiwan), APL, CMA, CGM, COSCO, MOL, Hapag Lloyd, Hanjin, Hyundai,NYK, Hamburg Sud, Alianca, Hoegh, Crystal Cruises, Prestige Cruise Holdings.
The initiative not only helps reduce air pollution but also demonstrates to the public that the shipping industry is keen to reduce the environmental impact generated by their operation.
Fair Winds Charter: www.civic-exchange.org/wp/fair-winds-charter/
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