Operators are reminded that the newly released Announcement, 2019 No.489 on the Regulations of the People Republic of China (PRC) on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships containing new Measures has replaced previous Announcement.
Along with the new Measures, the Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) has also published a Directory of Hazardous Bulk Liquid Cargo Apt to Cause Pollution (the Directory) for which oil booms need to be used during cargo operations or an agreement with a Ship Pollution Response Organization (SPRO) needs to be concluded.
According to the updated SPRO table, there is no material change to the SPRO requirements as a result. Nevertheless, it should be noted that as of March 1, 2020, no SPRO agreements are needed for any of the following:
- Any ship under 10,000 GT either in ballast or carrying a liquid cargo in bulk not listed in the Directory;
- Any ship of any size that is driven by clean fuels or electricity and carrying liquid polluting and hazardous cargoes not in bulk;
- Where the port which the ship is entering, leaving or operating from, does not have a SPRO with the required level of response capability.
In addition, from March 1, 2020, regardless of any previous waivers provided, local MSA’s will strictly implement the relevant provisions of the regulations, if any vessel fails to conclude an agreement for ship pollution response as required, valid for 5 years.
