Fine dust emissions in harbor areas to be reduced by 50 percent by 2022

항만 미세먼지 2022년까지 50% 감축, 환경부-해양수산부 협력Efforts to reduce fine dust are coming from a range of government sectors and institutions.The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Environment Ministry are cooperating to come up with ways to improve the nation's air quality. Hong Yoo outlines what they are. Harbors are one of the major locations in Korea that cause large amounts of fine dust.In 2015, more than 32 thousand tons of fine dust were produced by cargo ships-- 10 percent of the country's total annual fine dust emissions.To improve harbor and coastal air quality, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will cooperate with the Ministry of Environment to reduce fine dust in such areas by 50 percent by 2022.On Tuesday, the two ministries signed an MOU to establish and secure related business plans, improve and promote laws and systems, and share information.For instance, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will expand the supply of eco-friendly ships and unloading equipment, and establish a port infrastructure that improves the air quality of port cities.And the Environment Ministry will expand the air pollutant monitoring network to analyze the effectiveness of such measures.They will also try to lower emissions from old diesel vehicles in port areas by financially aiding owners to install pollution reducing devices.With the signing of MOU, the environment minister said they will drastically improve the air quality of port areas, which have been a blind spot so far in efforts to reduce fine dust. He hopes such efforts will greatly improve the quality of life for those who live near ports.Hong Yoo, Arirang News.