Hong Kong's Environmental Protection Department plans to submit legislation to the Legislative Council to mandate ocean-going vessels to switch to low sulfur fuel while berthing in Hong Kong waters from the next legislative year starting October 2013, an EPD official confirmed Wednesday.

Currently, ships can use fuel with a maximum sulfur content of 3.5% under the regulation set by the International Maritime Organization, while the ISO 8217:2005 standard requires a maximum sulfur content of 1.5% for marine gasoil, and 2.0% for marine diesel oil.

MDO and MGO are typically consumed while vessels are berthed. The EPD is considering asking ocean-going vessels to use fuel with a maximum sulfur content of 0.1% at berthing in Hong Kong, Platts reported previously.

The department is now collecting views on the new regulation from the industry until April 8, according to the source.

The Hong Kong government said January 16 in a policy address for 2013 that it was considering new legislation to enforce the use of cleaner fuel.