The Environmental Protection Administration of Taiwan (EPA) on Friday (10 March) stated it has revised its “Control Standards for Fuel Composition of Mobile Pollution Sources” policy to place tougher restrictions on marine, aviation, and land-based for reducing emissions.
In accordance with international standards, a sulphur cap adjustment from 3.5% to 0.5% will be placed on marine fuel even though Taiwan is not a member of the International Maritime Organization, it said.
The new regulations will apply to all marine vessels including shipping boats. It is expected to be implemented by 1 July 2020.
The voluntary application of the international sulphur cap comes after the sulphur cap has been implemented on international ships entering Taiwan’s commercial port areas.
Since then, air quality surveillance stations in Keelong and Kaohsiung port areas have reported a 29% reduction in sulfur dioxide concentrations compared to 2019, notes the EPA.
This new regulation, which will apply to all domestic vessels is expected by EPA to reduce 5,229 metric tonnes of sulfur dioxide emissions and lower concentrations of PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter) pollutants, improving visibility and reducing acid rain.
The EPA stated it will partner with the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration, local environmental protection bureau, industrial ports, international and domestic commercial ports to conduct auditing operations on vessels.
Land transport petrol and diesel fuels are also subject to stricter controls to mitigate public exposure to carcinogens. Benzene levels in petrol must not exceed 0.9 percent, while the amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in diesel fuel must be kept under 8 percent.
“Fuel supply companies like the China National Petroleum Corporation and Formosa Plastics will provide compliant fuel products. We urge all vehicles to use compliant fuel and reject any recycled fuel of unknown origins to improve environmental standards,” said the EPA.
Photo credit: Environmental Protection Administration of Taiwan
Published 23 March, 2020
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