The government of Hong Kong has released the administration’s paper on “Provision of on-shore power supply at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal” to the LegCo. Clean Air Network (CAN) stated its disappointment that the authorities has decided to shelve the installation of onshore power supply for Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.
According to the 2012 Emission Inventory for Hong Kong published by the Environmental Protection Department, ocean going ships became the number one source of respirable suspended particulates, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide in Hong Kong. Cruise ships accounted for 2.4% of SO2, 0.9% of NOX and 1.5% of PM respectively. As estimated by Hedley Environmental Index, in 2014, air pollution caused 2,616 premature deaths and 32.657 billion in lost dollars. Thus, we can calculate that by installing onshore power supply, the death number could be reduced by 42 and 523 million could be gained annually
Clean Air Network CEO Sum Yin Kwong says,
“The government tends to calculate cost benefits without considering external social costs. Comparing similar community projects such as spending 600 million for a gymnasium, the building of onshore power facilities is certainly worthwhile in order to protect public health.”
In the paper, it is estimated that the growth of OPS-capable cruises is slow but the government also suggested that it will take five years to install onshore power facilities. CAN worries that if the prediction is not correct, it would be too late to start the process and the government should now seize the opportunity to be the forerunner in Asia and attracts OPS-capable cruises to come by providing the facilities.
CAN also urges in the meantime, the government should consider other measures such as tighter standard for fuel and switching to 0.1 sulphur fuel inside Hong Kong waters, so as to reduce public exposure of toxic air.
Source: CAN
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