A coalition of shipping companies wants the Pearl River Delta cleaned up and turned into a low emission zone. In the interest of cleaner air, the group is calling for greater collaboration among the provinces and the central government to bring about that change.

The call, from the Hong Kong Liner Shipping Association (HKLSA) and the Hong Kong Shipowners' Association (HKSA) in conjunction with 17 shipping companies came along with a renewed, one-year pledge from the shipping companies to burn only low-sulfur fuels while berthed in Hong Kong.

The coalition wants low sulfur emissions mandated by laws by January 2014. But in the meantime, the coalition is also recommending that authorities provide incentives, such as a 50 percent cut in port fees for vessels that come into voluntary compliance, prior to the January 2014 deadline.

The alliance wants to increase its reach, beyond Hong Kong however. It also wants to see the low sulfur initiative expanded to other major ports in the Pearl River Delta. "In the years ahead it will be necessary for the whole industry, globally to switch progressively to cleaner fuels," HKLSA chairman Tim Smith said.

"In other parts of the world, government and the shipping industry were already working together to define a roadmap towards lower emissions from shipping, but in Asia there had been little progress," he said.

The managing director of the HKSA, Arthur Bowring, re-stated the ship owners' commitment to collaborate with regional governments, working to have an international, sanctioned emissions control area for the waters of the delta.

Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing said the government will join in that collaboration and work with mainland authorities to introduce control measures jointly in Pearl River Delta waters and establish an emission control area in the long-term.

"Air pollution respects no boundary and since Hong Kong, Guangdong and Shenzhen share the same air shed, we must take a regional approach to controlling marine emissions to maximize the environmental benefits. Doing so can also maintain a level-playing field in the region," Wong said.

The secretary hailed the coalition for being the world's first industry led initiative to cut back emissions by switching fuels that create less pollution. Hong Kong, he noted, has become the pioneer for low emission berthing in Asia.

Since 2011, the voluntary efforts have covered 3,600 vessels and have cut back 890 tonnes of sulfur dioxide and 90 tonnes of respirable suspended particulates, he said.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying had pledged to table legislation to control marine emissions in Hong Kong, with Under Secretary for the Environment Christine Loh expecting the law to be gazetted by the fourth quarter. She said the law's implementation would depend on how quickly it is passed by legislators.

She said the central government as well as her counterparts in the Pearl River Delta region have been informed about Hong Kong's marine emission targets and will collectively study the region's air pollution profile before considering solutions.

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