Star Ferry to test new, green electric drive

The iconic cross-harbour Star Ferry might go green in more than just its paint if a government-funded trial of a new, cleaner propulsion system proves a success.

The retrofit, supported by the Environmental Protection Department's pilot green transport fund, will replace the ancient diesel combustion engine in one of the vessels with a modern diesel-powered generator driving an electric motor system to propel the ship.

A separate water scrubber will also be installed to filter the pollution from the power generator.

The ferry operator hopes the changes will not only reduce fuel use but also cut the emissions sometimes visible along the waterfront of the harbour.

In January last year, Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing announced that marine vessels had overtaken power plants as the largest source of the city's pollution. The ferries, which transport some 60,000 people a day, were 50 years old on average as of 2012, according to Star Ferry's website, and their engines cannot accommodate modern, clean-burning fuel.

Johnny Leung Tak-hing, Star Ferry's general manager, said the project was a first for Hong Kong. "Nothing of a similar kind has ever been done to a large ferry before," he said.

He said the entire engine of the selected ferry would be removed and replaced by a modern, efficient generator. But there will be no batteries.