Fair Winds Charter: Maersk & a Dozen Follow to Use Low-sulphur Fuel in Hong Kong

Denmark-based AP Moeller-Maersk A/S, the world's largest shipping company, takes a voluntary initiative to switch to low-sulphur fuel when at berth in Hong Kong, starting from this early September.

Last month, a dozen more shipping companies (APL, Evergreen, CMA CGM, Hamburg Sud, Alianca, Hapag-Lloyd, Hanjin, Hyundai, MOL, NYK Line, OOCL, and Yang Ming) also agreed to join cleaner fuel campaign under Fair Wind Charter, which aims to:

• “Switching to a fuel containing 0.50% sulphur content or less (“low sulphur fuel”) while at berth (at the terminal or at anchorage) in Hong Kong, to the maximum extent possible;”

• “Undertaking this voluntary initiative between 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2012;”

• “Collaborating within our sector and with the Hong Kong SAR and Guangdong Governments to introduce regulation on emissions from ships consistent with international standards.”

A Hong Kong TV station reports (below) how air pollution from vessels emission affects residents living near the ports and solutions to lower sulphur emission.

I believe engaging trade and protecting environment are indispensable under the fast-pace 21^st century.

Without trade, our human living standard will regress.

Without decent living environment, we have no way to engage sustainable trading in the long run.

We, as earth citizens, are obligated to enjoy and protect our environment as we have only 1 planet earth.

 

Brian Chan

brian@universalcargo.com