The Standard P&I Club has been advised by the local correspondents in China on the notices issued by the local MSA offices regarding the implementation of ECA measures at key ports within Yangtze River Delta.
- While ships are berthing in Shanghai Port, the sulphur content of any fuel oil used on board ships (including main engine, auxiliary machinery, boiler and generator) (excluding the first hour after arrival and the last hour prior to departure) shall not exceed 0.5% mm on and after 1 April 2016.
- “Berthing in Shanghai Port” is defined as the period of time when the ship is firmly fastened to a bollard till all the cables of the ship are untied, which excludes anchoring and tying to buoys by the ship.
- Ships may apply for an exemption from Shanghai MSA if it is unsafe to use low sulphur fuel oil. In such a case, the shipping company or local agents will be required to provide Shanghai MSA with a completed application form and related documents, and obtain the exemption after approval. (please refer to attached notice issued by Shanghai MSA and application form for exemption for more details)
- Ships can take alternative measures equivalent to using low sulphur fuel, such as shore power, clean energy, exhaust gas cleaning system and etc.
Following is the summary of the key-points from the notice issued by Zhejiang MSA
- Ships calling Ningbo-Zhoushan port (including Beilun, Chuanshan, Daxie, Zhenhai, Meishan, Shengsi, Liuheng, Dinghai, Qushan, Jintang) are required to use fuel with sulphur content ≤0.5%mm when staying at berth (from one hour after getting berthed till one hour before departure from berth) from 1st April 2016.
- Considering the reforming time of fuel change-over system and alternative measures, any violation to the requirement found within two month as from the date when notice come into force, the punitive measures mainly be warning education and correction of breaches.
- Ships can take alternative measures equivalent to using low sulphur content fuel, such as shore power, clean energy, exhaust gas cleaning system and etc.
Following is the summary of the key-points from the notice issued by Jiangsu MSA
- Ships calling Suzhou and Nantong port are required to use fuel with sulphur content ≤0.5%mm when staying at berth (from one hour after getting berthed till one hour before departure from berth) from 1st April 2016.
- Ships can take alternative measures equivalent to using low sulphur content fuel, such as shore power, clean energy, exhaust gas cleaning system and etc.
- The rules of supervision and administration of ECA (including exception and exemption to the requirement) shall be published respectively.
As advised by the local correspondents, there have been few reported cases where Shanghai MSA has issued penalty notice to ships that were unable to provide bunker delivery notes or failing to keep a fuel sample for at least 1 year until the fuel has been used up. As for other ports within Yangtze River Delta, there is no further news from the authorities on the local requirements at this stage.
The Club advises operators to ensure that their vessels due for calling the ports of Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Suzhou and Nantong comply with relevant requirements in order to avoid any issues or penalty.
Source: The Standard P&I Club
