Star Ferry launches new Green Scheme

Paving way for a greener and cleaner Hong Kong, the cross-harbour Star Ferry will be replaced with a new propulsion system to reduce emission. Financed by the Environmental Protection Department's pilot green transport fund, the antiquated combustion engines of Star Ferry will be replaced by a new diesel-electric system, where a modern diesel-powered generator will be driving an electric motor system to propel the ship.

In addition, a separate water scrubber will be installed to filter the pollution from the power generator. Professor Dennis Leung Yiu-cheung, from the University of Hong Kong's department of mechanical engineering says the trial is promising.

By the filter system alone, pollution could reduced by 90 per cent. With marine vessels had overtaken power plants as the largest source of the city's pollution according to the Environment Bureau, the new electric drive will hopefully reduce fuel use and also improve visibility along the waterfront of the harbour.