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Hong Kong public policy think tank, Civic Exchange, has today launched a new report entitled Cruise Ship Emissions and Control in Hong Kong.

With the opening of Kai Tak Cruise Terminal scheduled to take place in June this year, Civic Exchange said the report aims to provide timely information regarding cruise ship emissions in Hong Kong for 'thorough discussions' between the government, business sectors and the general public on the key issues.

2012 cruise ship emission estimates in Hong Kong

It is estimated that 867 tonnes of SO2, 1,287 tonnes of NOx and 97 tonnes of PM10 were emitted from cruise ships in Hong Kong waters last year. Consistent with the Environmental Protection Department’s study on marine vessels emission inventory, close to 60% of cruise ship emissions are estimated to have been produced at berth.

The major polluters were said to be Ocean Terminal and the government buoys in Victoria Harbour, near Hung Hom, and Kowloon Bay. Their combined emission of SO2 of 429 tonnes were calculated to represent half of total cruise ship emissions in Hong Kong.

2013/14 cruise ship emissions estimates at Kai Tak

With the opening of the new Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, 16 cruise ships are scheduled to visit Hong Kong, adding 43 tonnes of SO2, 44 tonnes of NOx and 5 tonnes of PM10. It is observed that the share of emissions produced during hotelling in Kai Tak Cruise Terminal will be over 80%. This is mainly due to the longer estimated berthing time for the 16 cruise ships at Kai Tak.

The new Kai Tak Cruise Terminal will attract bigger cruise ships to Hong Kong and stay for a longer period of time. Their emissions will therefore have a negative impact on people's health in the neighbouring communities, the report said.

"This report is a first step to engage the cruise industry in Hong Kong,” Simon Ng, Civic Exchange’s Head of Transport & Sustainability Research explained. "By speaking directly to the cruise industry, we shall learn more about their operation, business model, as well as how they see their role in emission reduction, and what their major concerns are about government control and regulation."

Other than the cruise companies, Civic Exchange has also called for government agencies, including the Tourism Commission, the Transport and Housing Bureau and the Environment Bureau, to expedite the regulation of at-berth fuel switching in Hong Kong, to approve the installation of on-shore power supply at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, and to explore the possibility of providing on-shore power supply at Ocean Terminal.

“By switching to low sulphur fuel while at berth in Hong Kong, or connecting to on-shore power when it becomes available, cruise ships will greatly reduce their emissions. It will be a win-win solution for both the cruise industry and Hong Kong people. Our government could also consider a technology-neutral ship emissions control framework in the long term to encourage innovative solutions," Ng added.

Even though a booming cruise industry will mean more business opportunities and economic benefits for Hong Kong, Ms Yan-yan Yip, CEO of Civic Exchange pointed out: "Cruise ship emissions and their impacts on the environment as well as public health also deserve our attention. We do hope this paper can stimulate and facilitate the discussion on the ways in which cruise ships can minimise thei r emissions, and thereby reduce their impacts on public health and the environment, while the cruise industry continues to thrive."