Cleaning up shipping

The proposal came from the Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SIS), a group of NGOs and companies, who have drawn up a 30-year vision for ships to use cleaner fuels and reduce their greenhouse gases. The signatories have committed to increase funding for emissions-reducing technology. T&E shipping officer Bill Hemmings said: ‘This is a positive initiative, and perhaps the first thing the SIS could do would be to use its influence to stop the shipping industry lobbying against new low-sulphur fuel standards.’

• Hong Kong says it is exploring with regional governments in China the possibility of setting up an emission control area (ECA) in the Pearl River Delta. The city wants ocean-going ships to switch to low-sulphur fuel while sailing in Pearl River Delta waters.