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HK cruise terminal scraps on-shore power supply plan
Hong Kong’s Kai Tak cruise terminal has temporarily shelved plans to install on-shore power supply for ships due to the lack of equipped ships plying the waters of Asia Pacific.
The Environmental Protection Department said installing the system would mean the terminal would be ‘significantly underutilised.’
A study conducted for the department found that only 35 international cruise ships would be equipped to use on-shore power systems by the end of this year and even fewer operate cruises on a regular basis in Asia.
"The high cost outlay coupled with low interest of cruise liners in equipping their vessels with OPS, are not conducive to the installation of OPS systems," the department said.
"The survey findings suggest that setting up OPS is not a priority task among cruise ports in the Asia Pacific region and this will likely remain so in the foreseeable future."
The report concluded switching to lower sulphur fuel would be more cost- effective.
Green groups in Hong Kong have criticised the decision as a ‘missed opportunity’ for Hong Kong to become a standard bearer in Asia.
"The government tends to calculate cost benefits without considering external social costs," said Kwong Sum-yin, CEO of anti pollution group Clean Air Network.
"The building of on-shore power facilities is certainly worthwhile in order to protect public health."
The group claims 42 deaths a year are caused by cruise ship emissions.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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