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With more ships expected at Kai Tak, why the delay in reducing pollutants?

Wesley Lau says Hong Kong still lags behind other ports in installing onshore power facilities

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In 2012, the amount of sulphur dioxide released by vessels was far greater than that from vehicles and planes combined. Photo: Bloomberg

A second berth at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal is due to come into operation today, potentially doubling the amount of air pollutants being emitted.

By now, we know pollutants cause health problems to residents and increase the costs of our health care. Long before Kai Tak opened, we were pushing for action to curb air pollution from marine transport.

In 2012, the amount of sulphur dioxide released by vessels was far greater than that from vehicles and planes combined, and the amount of nitrogen oxides they emitted was equal to that from vehicles and planes combined.

One possible solution to this is to supply onshore power to ocean-going vessels. This is not new; it has been proposed to the government, which responded with pledges of action.

Officials said a feasibility study would be undertaken on the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and completed by the middle of this year. However, the government is now saying the study will probably only be finished by the end of the year.

Does the government still care about Hongkongers' health, given that it would rather open a new berth that may double air pollution in the area instead of completing a study that could help to lower levels?

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