---

Hong Kong's Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has today launched a nine-month trial of local ferries using ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD).

The trial seeks to ascertain the technical feasibility of switching to ULSD and to examine the implications on ferry operation, which will help map out the way forward on promoting the use of this cleaner fuel.

"Domestic ferries are a major source of local maritime air pollution emissions, accounting for 40-70 percent of the air pollutants emitted from all local vessels", an EPD spokesman said.

"The sulphur content of ULSD is about 1 percent of that of the marine light diesel currently used by ferries. After switching to ULSD, a ferry can reduce its sulphur dioxide emission by more than 90 percent and particulate emission by about 10 percent," the spokesman added.

"We would like to thank New World First Ferry Services Limited, Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Limited and Hongkong & Yaumati Ferry Co. Ltd. for contributing altogether five ferries to the trial," he said.

A monitoring committee, comprising representatives of EPD, the Marine Department, the Transport Department and the local ferry trade will be set up to oversee the progress of the trial.

The Government has set up a refilling station in Victoria Harbour to facilitate ULSD refilling for the participating ferries.