### Colombo’s Air Quality: The Maritime Impact 📈

A recent analysis highlights the growing threat of deteriorating air quality in Colombo, pointing to a significant but overlooked source: emissions from international shipping lanes. • Current Situation: Colombo's air quality index increasingly reaches unhealthy levels, particularly concerning concentrations of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter). While traffic and regional pollution from the Palk Strait are often blamed, the city's proximity to one of the world's busiest maritime corridors is a major contributor. • The Shipping Factor: Thousands of container ships, tankers, and bulk carriers on the East-West route burn heavy fuel oil, one of the dirtiest global transport fuels, just off Sri Lanka's coast. • Proposed Policy Action: To mitigate health risks and protect the maritime sector's reputation, experts suggest implementing a clean-fuel requirement. This would mandate ships to switch to low-sulphur marine fuel within 12 nautical miles of the coast or while at berth in the Port of Colombo and Hambantota. • Strategic Benefit: Adopting these international standards—already used in Europe and China—would reinforce Sri Lanka's standing as a responsible maritime hub while reducing long-term national health costs. _Source: Based on commentary by the former German Ambassador to Sri Lanka._