---

Hong Kong public policy think tank, Civic Exchange, has called for air pollution control measures to tackle cruise ship pollutants at the new Kai Tak Terminal.

Simon Ng, Head of Transport & Sustainability Research at Civic Exchange, was featured on TVB news commenting on the forthcoming terminal, due to be opened in 2013, and the potential air pollution problems that he said the new facility would bring.

Ng called for pollution control measures, such as fuel switching at berth or utilization of shore power, to remedy the issue of air pollution.

The new terminal facility, which will be able to accommodate the largest cruise ships in the world, will, according to Civic Exchange, impose severe health hazards to people living in the nearby neighbourhoods such as Kwun Tong and Kowloon Bay, and particualarly the Kai Tak Development Area.

In September this year, the local government launched a three-year funding scheme for ocean-going vessels that switch to low-sulphur fuel whilst moored in Hong Kong. Half of the port facilities and light dues will be waived for participants in the initiative.