The combustion of fuel containing sulfur and hydrogen produces sulfur oxides and hydrocarbons, causing air pollution, acid rain and smog, Department of Air Quality Protection and Noise Control Director-General Tsai Meng-yu (蔡孟裕) told a news conference in Taipei. To curb pollution from land, sea and airborne vehicles, the EPA has tightened regulations on fuel for ships and aircraft, as well as gasoline and diesel for road vehicles, he said. Environmental Protection Administration Department of Air Quality Protection and Noise Control Director-General Tsai Meng-yu points to a beaker of marine fuel oil with sulfur content of 0.5 percentat a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Lo Chi, Taipei TimesFrom July, all ships must use fuel with a sulfur content of less than 0.5 percent, instead of the current 3.5 percent, Tsai said. While Taiwan is not a member state of the International Maritime Organization, it is voluntarily observing the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, which helps improve air quality and allows domestic ports to remain competitive globally, he added.

Source: Taipei Times March 20, 2020 15:56 UTC