Hong Kong's EEB Approves Three New Hydrogen Fuel Trial Projects for Cross-Boundary Transport

Three more trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology given agreement-in-principle by Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel

A spokesman for the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) said that the Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel led by the EEB has given agreement-in-principle to three more applications for trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology at its meeting today (February 11).

The relevant projects involve:

(a)an application submitted by Guangdong Yiyun Logistics Supply Chain Company Limited for launching a trial operation of five hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) cold chain goods vehicles for cross-boundary transport;

(b)an application submitted by G.D-H.K Traveller Plus Limited for launching a trial operation of two HFC vehicles for cross-boundary vehicle towing service; and

(c)an application jointly submitted by Sinopec (Hong Kong) Limited, Maxim's Caterers Limited and HYPERVIEW (Hong Kong) Technology Company Limited for launching a trial operation of two HFC cold chain goods vehicles for cross-boundary transport.

The spokesperson for the EEB stated, "The Working Group has promptly initiated the examination process upon receipt of detailed information regarding the trial projects. Following the applicants' enhancement of the designs and technical details according to feedback from government departments to ensure that the trial projects can be carried out smoothly and safely, the Working Group has given agreement-in-principle to the three applications at its meeting today."

To date, the Working Group has given agreement-in-principle in stages to a total of 35 applications for hydrogen energy trial projects. The Working Group will continue to make reference to the operational data and experience collected from all local trials, in order to provide advice for the continuous enhancement of the safety and technical guidelines on the local application of hydrogen energy.

The spokesman said, "The Working Group also discussed in the meeting facilitative measures to remove barriers and ease restrictions to streamline approval procedures, drawing on industry feedback and experiences in processing trial projects, with an aim to enable more trial projects to proceed smoothly and timely."

The Working Group will continue to regularly review the progress of the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong and provide recommendations to facilitate the implementation of its various measures. The Working Group is formed by the EEB, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Development Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Environmental Protection Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Fire Services Department, the Transport Department, the Marine Department, the Planning Department, the Lands Department, the Buildings Department, the Architectural Services Department and the Labour Department.

The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB), Photo source: reference image

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases