[January 23, 2006] East Asian ports set to join emissions initiative Tweet (Lloyds List Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)HONG Kong, Shanghai, Nagoya and Tokyo have been invited by port officials in California on the US west coast to join a working group of Pacific rim ports to look at ways of tackling ship emissions. Industry insiders said Shanghai, Nagoya and Tokyo are keen to participate in the initiative, while Hong Kong's Marine Department is working with environmental protection officials to put forward a raft of ideas. Marine Department director Tsui Shung-yiu said: 'Hong Kong is very keen to participate and we are now working with the Environmental Protection Department on what we can do.' He said the invitation to join a coalition of ports came from officials in Los Angeles and Long Beach. Mr Tsui, who will retire as director in March, said proposals will specifically target ways to curb ship emissions. He did not suggest what measures could be introduced, although the voluntary speed limit introduced at Long Beach was interesting. The Port of Long Beach inaugurated a $2.2m a year clean air initiative on January 1, which offers financial incentives for owners and operators who observe the port's voluntary 12 knot speed limit. This limit applies within 32km of the harbour approaches. Under the plan, if 90% of an ocean carrier's vessels comply with the 12 knot speed limit in one year, they will be entitled to a 15% reduction in dock fees in the following year. Long Beach harbour commissioners will review the programme in 2008 to see if it has been effective and whether the scheme could continue. Plans for Hong Kong to join the Pacific ports working group comes as Mr Tsui hoped Hong Kong would ratify Marpol annexe VI later this year. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]