People’s Republic of China has established three emission control areas

21 January 2016  |  C16003

The Chinese Ministry of Transportation introduced new regulations designating parts of its coastal waters as emission control areas (ECA)

NOTICE TO
Ship Owners / Managers / Operators  |  Flag Administrations  |  Surveyors

From January 1, 2016 the ports in the emission control areas (ECAs) situated in the following locations may require vessels to use fuel oil with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.5% m/m, or equivalent emission reduction measures when at a berth:

• Zhujiang (Pearl River) Delta;
• Yangtze River Delta; and
• Bohai Sea.

More specifically, from January 1, 2016 inspections in the three new ECAs will concentrate on the review of the IAPP certificate, entries into the oil record book, bunker delivery note and fuel quality to ensure strict implementation of the new requirement.  Therefore vessels must ensure that they fully comply with the applicable requirements prior calling any port within ECA.

From January 1, 2017 vessels at a berth in a port within ECAs (excluding 1 hour after anchorage and 1 hour before departure) must use fuel oil with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.5% m/m, or equivalent emission reduction measures.

From January 1, 2018 vessels at a berth in a port within ECAs must use fuel with a sulphur content of no more than 0.5% m/m.

From 1 January 2019 vessels that operate within ECAs must use fuel containing less than 0.5 % sulphur.

At the end of 2019, the Chinese Government will assess the new requirement for ECAs and consider whether it is necessary to reduce the sulphur content limit to 0.1%.  This decision will also be based on the supply capabilities of the Chinese refinery industry and bunker providers.

It should be noted that despite the use of the term “ECA” with regard to introduction of these national requirements, it is not linked to MARPOL Convention ECA requirements, it is strictly a Chinese Government regulation.

Pearl River Delta ECA

Inland water areas: navigable inland waters under administrative jurisdiction of 9 cities including Guangzhou, Dongguan, Huizhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Foshan,  Jiangmen and Zhaoqing.

Key ports: Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Zhuhai.

Yangtze River Delta ECA

Inland water areas: navigable waters under the administrative jurisdiction of 15 cities including Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Yangzhou, Taizhou, Nantong, Changzhou, Wuxi, Suzhou, Shanghai, Jiaxing, Huzhou, Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Ningbo, Zhoushan and Taizhou.

Key ports: Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Suzhou, Nantong.

Bohai Sea ECA

Inland water areas: navigable inland waters under the administrative jurisdiction of 13 cities including Dalian, Yingkou, Panjin, Jinzhou, Huludao, Qinghuangdao, Tangshan, Tianjin, Cangzhou, Binzhou, Dongying, Weifang, Yantai.

Key ports: Tianjin, Qinhuangdao, Tangshan and Huanghua.

act now

Ship Owners / Managers / Operators must ensure that:

• As of January 1, 2016 contact their local agents prior to arrival to be informed of any particular local emission reduction requirements in the three new ECAs.
• Crew members on board are conducting fuel switching process in accordance with detailed changeover procedures from the engine manufacturers.
• Prepare and implement on board a fuel oil management plan to establish changeover and bunkering procedures in advance.  Dromon suggests that such a plan shall cover the requirements of Regulations 14 & 18 of Annex VI to MARPOL and MEPC.182(59), as amended.