Introduction of three 0.5% sulphur emission control areas in Mainland China.The below reported air pollution control regulation will be implemented from 1 Apr 2016 in Yangtze River core ports – Shanghai, Zhoushan-Ningbo, Suzhou and Nantong ports, referring to the notice of the Ministry of Transport at their webpage on 20 Jan 2016, information only available in Chinese.

Until the end of 2017 ships will be required to use fuel of less than 0.5% sulphur content while berthing excluding the one hour before departure and arrival. From 2018 the requirement to burn low sulphur will be extended to the whole duration of berthing. From 2019 the entire time of a vessel is will be required to use fuel of less than 0.5% sulphur content within the ECA area.

Before the end of 2019 the Chinese government will evaluate the effectiveness of the ECAs and decide whether to reduce the sulphur content to below 0.1%, enlarge the ECAs or other measures.

Mainland, China

• From 1 Jan 2016, the Central Government would allow some ports in the 3 areas to implement the plan;
• From 1 Jan 2017, 11 major ports in those areas will require ships to use fuel of less than 0.5% while berthing excluding the one hour before departure and arrival;
• From 1 Jan 2018, all ports in the 3 areas will require ships to use fuel of less than 0.5% during whole period in port, including the one hour before departure and arrival;
• From 1 Jan 2019, ships, not just in ports but in all the 3 areas, will be required to use fuel of less than 0.5% m/m sulphur content.
• Before 31 Dec 2019, an assessment will be made to decide whether to introduce requirement for 0.1% m/m sulphur content in the control areas.The 11 major ports are Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Suzhou, Nantong, Tianjin, Qinhuangdao, Tangshan and Huanghua. (The full text of the implementation plan as reported could be downloaded from Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China but at present the information is only available in Chinese.)

Hong Kong, China

 Related to this matter, reference is made to the similar requirement in Hong Kong:

The Air Pollution Control (Ocean Going Vessels) (Fuel at Berth) Regulation of Hong Kong entered into force on 1 July 2015. The Regulation prohibits OGVs from using non-compliant fuel for operating any specified machinery during the prohibition period, i.e. the berthing period except the first hour and the last hour. Compliant fuel means any of the following:

1. low sulphur marine fuel, i.e. marine fuel with sulphur content not exceeding 0.5% by weight;
2. liquefied natural gas; or
3. any other fuel approved by the Director of Environmental Protection on the ground that its use can achieve SO2 reduction at least as effectively as the use of low sulphur marine fuel.

The information above has been provided by Intercargo – International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners

Member Alert is published by The Swedish Club as a service to members. While the information is believed correct, the Club cannot assume responsibility for completeness or accuracy.