Busy ports, high pollution and public health Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) have some of the busiest ports in the world and throughput is expected to grow. Millions of people in the region live and work in close proximity to port facilities and are directly exposed to harmful levels of shipping and port-related emissions. Toxic emissions from ships and port-operations represent a danger to public health and a long-term threat to the economy.

Local and regional initiatives Governments and the various players in the maritime sectors of Hong Kong and the PRD have already implemented some positive measures including: encouraging the use of low-sulphur fuels by ships, barges, port vehicles and equipment; using electricity to power port machinery; reducing fuel consumption; and using quay-side electrification. The more progressive companies are looking at how to reduce their carbon footprint.

Low-hanging fruit available Although these measures in themselves are not sufficient to reduce emissions on a scale necessary to protect public health, they do form a solid foundation on which to do more. There is also low-hanging fruit available for the authorities to harvest, such as those recommendations noted below.

Other ports are dealing with pollution The health impact of marine and port-related air pollution is not a problem unique to Hong Kong and southern China. In North America and Europe in particular, ports, governments and maritime industries are developing solutions to protect public health by way of regulations, incentive programmes, award and recognition schemes, comprehensive plans and policies, research and cross-interest collaborations. The report’s key recommendations draw on that international
experience, as follows:

(1) In the short-term: Foster greater cross-border, cross-port and cross-sector collaboration
• Implement fast and easy wins, such as requiring vessels to slow down to reduce fuel consumption.
• Fast-track collaboration across jurisdictions and amongst diverse stakeholder groups, such as port
authorities, maritime industry associations, public and non-government environmental agencies,
and public health specialists.
• Establish a regional, cross-industry body to manage port- and marine-related environmental issues.
The HKSAR Government is well-placed to convene this group.
• Create exchange programmes with international ports with green port policies to share international
best practice.

(2) In the medium-term: Develop a comprehensive green ports strategy and related policy
measures
• Develop an overarching regulatory and planning framework for implementing green port policies
through cross-industry-cross-jurisdiction dialogue recommended above.
• Use regulatory processes under international treaties such as Emissions Control Areas (ECAs) to
engage Hong Kong, the PRD and Beijing.

(3) Look at cleaner fuels initiatives
• Consider imposing fees on high-sulphur fuels and lowering taxes and duties on ultra low sulphur
diesel (ULSD).
• Improve fuel distribution infrastructure to decrease the actual cost of ULSD for local craft.
• Encourage the use and availability of cleaner fuels.

(4) Ongoing training programmes for industry
• Offer government-sponsored training programmes through the Hong Kong Productivity Council to
refresh and upgrade end-users’ knowledge of equipment efficiency and proper usage to reduce fuel consumption.

(5) Research
• Conduct a government-led detailed inventory of maritime-related pollutants, including greenhouse
gases to provide a strong technical foundation for both policy decisions and on-going research and
monitoring in the PRD.
• Undertake research on the health effects of marine and port related emissions to determine
subsequent policy measures to reduce the impacts.