The Skuld P& I Club informs about a recent update from the Ministry of Transport of the P.R.C that the Yangtze River Delta cities will implement the Directive as from 1 April 2016.
The rules will become compulsory in Yangtze River core ports (Shanghai port, Zhoushan port, Ningbo port, Suzhou port including Zhanjiagang, Changshu and Taicang, Nantong port) as of this April.
Yangtze River Delta Cities lead the implementation of Ship Emission Control Area Directive of P.R.C
At First Stage:
1. From 1 April 2016, the vessels should use low-sulphur (sulphur content of the fuel ≤0.5% m/m) fuel during the periods the ship is at a berth of the core ports (Shanghai port, Ningbo-Zhoushan port, Suzhou port and Nantong port) within Yangtze River Delta ECA;
2. Vessels are encouraged to use low-sulphur (sulphur content of the fuel ≤0.1% m/m) fuel when they is at a berth within Yangtze River Delta ECA;
3. Vessels are encouraged to use low-sulphur (sulphur content of the fuel ≤0.5% m/m) fuel when they enter Yangtze River Delta ECA waters.
At Second Stage, local cities and relevant authorities will evaluate the implementation and then decide whether further following control measures are taken: 1. Vessels sailing the Yangtze River Delta ECA waters should use low-sulphur (sulphur content of the fuel ≤0.5% m/m) fuel; 2. Vessels calling the ports within Yangtze River Delta ECA should use low-sulphur (sulphur content of the fuel ≤0.1% m/m) fuel during the periods the ship is at a berth; 3. Vessels sailing in the Yangtze River Delta ECA waters should use low-sulphur (sulphur content of the fuel ≤0.1% m/m) fuel.
Also read related article: China announces new ship emission control areas
Source: The Skuld P&I Club
