New requirements to apply for the use of shore power in Chinese ports

As explained, major ports in China is now equipped with shore power service facilities; in order to promote the wider application of shore power, the Chinese government and relevant institutions are implementing a series of policies to encourage ports and the shipping industry to adopt the shore power technology.

The local MSA will impose penalties on ships that are equipped with onboard devices for the use of shore power if they fail to use shore power as required when berthing at berths with shore power supply capabilities.

Background of Ships’ Using Shore Power in Chinese Ports

The use of shore power on ships at port refers to the suspension of the use of ship diesel generators, and replace the ship’s diesel engine with shore-based power facilities to directly supply power supplies to ships to meet the electricity needs of ships during the berthing period. As a clean and efficient way of energy supply, the use of shore power, which forms an important part of the ship’s greenhouse gas emission reduction strategy, can reduce fuel consumption, reduce the amount of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, and would be conducive to promote the development of a green and low-carbon shipping industry.

The major ports in China have made remarkable achievements in promoting shore power technology. Many ports, especially those in the Yangtze River, have been equipped with shore power service facilities and continue to optimize related services. In order to promote the wider application of shore power, the Chinese government and relevant institutions are implementing a series of policies, including financial subsidies, tax reductions and exemptions and technological assistance, to encourage ports and the shipping industry to adopt the shore power technology. On the other hand, despite the obvious environmental advantages of shore power technology, the promotion and use of shore power is still facing certain difficulties and challenges due to the fact that the installation of onboard devices for the use of shore power is not mandatory at present, coupled with other practical challenges, including the unification of technical standards, infrastructure construction, Shipowners and governments’ consideration of the cost on facility installation/modification and the compatibility between ship and port devices

Ships that should Use Shore Power during Berthing in Chinese Ports

The following domestic laws and statutes have regulated the ships that should use shore power during berthing in Chinese ports.

1. Marine Environmental Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China

When reaching a port, a vessel with good conditions for the use of shore power, other than one that uses clean energy, shall use shore power in accordance withthe relevant provisions issued by the state.

2. Measures for the Administration of Port and Ship on the Shore Power

Except in the cases such as temporary malfunctions of ship’s devices or shore power facilities, or under the emergency situations like adverse weather or exceptional accidents, which rendered the use of shore power is impracticable, ships(except for tankers) equipped with onboard devices for the use of shore power should use shore power when berthing at berths with shore power supply capabilities in the costal ports for more than 3 hours, or berthing at berths with shore power supply capabilities in the inland ports for more than 2 hours without using effective alternative measures (refer to the use of new energy such as LNG, clean energy, or adopt other equivalent measures for example shutdown the auxiliary engines, etc.).

3. Implementation Scheme of the Domestic Emission Control Areas (DECA) for Atmospheric Pollution from Ships

From 1 July 2019, the existing ships (except for tankers) with onboard devices for the use of shore power should use the shore power when berthing at berths with shore power supply capabilities inside the coastal emission control area for more than 3hours, or inside the inland river emission control area for more than 2 hours without using other alternative or equivalent measures (including the use of clean energy, new energy, onboard UPS or auxiliary engine shutdown, similarly hereinafter).

From 1 January 2021, cruise ships should use the shore power when berthing at a berth with shore power supply capabilities inside the DECAs for more than 3 hourswithout using other alternative or equivalent measures.

Ships Failing to Use Shore Power as required will FacePenalties

Chinese port authorities encourage relevant units including port operators to implement measures such as give priority on berthing, reduction of shore power service fees, priority access to passage or transit for ships using shore power. In the meantime, the local MSA will also, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, impose penalties on ships that equipped with onboard devices for the use of shore power if they fail to use shore power as required when berthing at berths with shore power supply capabilities.

1. In accordance with the “Marine Environmental Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China”, When reaching a port, a ship with the conditions for the use of shore power fails to use shore power in accordance with the provisions issued by the state is punishable by a fine of not less than 10,000 yuan nor more than100,000 yuan, or if the circumstances are serious, a fine of not less than 100,000yuan nor more than 500,000 yuan.

2. Article 84 of the “Yangtze River Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China” regulates that a ship with the conditions for the use of shore power fails to use shore power in accordance with the relevant provisions issued by the state is punishable by a fine of not less than 10,000 yuan but not more than 100,000 yuan, or a fine of not less than 100,000 yuan but not more than 500,000 yuan, if the circumstances are serious.

3. Additionally, for ships berthing in ports in the Yangtze River, the “Measures for the Administration of Port and Ship on Shore Power” further details the penalty amount which stipulated in the “Yangtze River Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China” based on the aggregated rated power of the generator sets of the ships that violate the regulations:

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