A new regulation on ship emission control areas of the Pearl river delta, the Yangtze river delta and Bohai sea waters was issued by the Ministry of Transport of P.R.China
China has published new regulations designating three areas as Sulphur control areas effective January 1st 2019. Eleven key ports are allowed to impose requirements for fuel burned at berth as early as January 1st 2016. Mandatory port requirements will go into force January 1st 2017 for all ports in designated areas.
Coast ships, including ocean-going vessels, which operate in areas near the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta and the Bohai Sea will be obliged to use fuel containing less than 0.5% Sulphur from January 1st 2019. This regulation applies to all the ships which are sailing, anchor aging or working in this emission control areas, excluding military ships, sport ships and fishing boats.
Eleven key ports within the designated areas are allowed to apply the same requirement to ships at berth as of January 1st 2016. These eleven harbors are Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhujiang, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Suzhou, Nantong, Tianjin, Qinhuangdao, Tangshan and Huanghua.
- Since 1st of Jan 2016 in the above ports, if they declare that the relevant requirement is into force, all ships should strictly implement emission control requirements on sulfur oxides, particulate matter and nitrogen oxide as per existing international conventions and domestic laws and regulations and use fuel with sulfur content ≤0.5% m/m or other measures higher than existing emission control requirements.
- Since 1st Jan 2017, all the ships berthing at ports near the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta and the Bohai Sea shall use the fuel with sulfur content ≤0.5% m/m. (excluding one hour after getting alongside and one hour before departure）
- Since 1st Jan 2018，all ships berthing at ports near the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta and the Bohai Sea shall use the fuel with sulfur content ≤0.5% m/m during berthing in terminal.
- Since 1st Jan 2019，all ships enter ports near the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta and the Bohai Sea shall use the fuel with sulfur content ≤0.5% m/m.
- Since 31st Dec 2019，China Authorities will assess the effect of aforementioned control measures to decide below actions to be carried out:
- All the ships enter the core ports shall use the fuel with sulfur content ≤0.1% m/m.
- Extend the range of emission control area
- other measures
Ship managers are advised to ensure that:
- As of January 1st 2016 the local agents or port authorities in above designated Chinese ports should be consulted in due time before arrival, regarding the new requirements on Sulphur content of fuel oil when arriving in these ports.
- Fuel switching process should be carefully conducted in accordance with detailed changeover procedures from the engine makers
- It is highly recommended that a Fuel Oil Management Plan is prepared in order to set up change over and bunkering procedures well in advance of the Sulphur requirements.
Source: SQE MARINE Circular 2015-15
