Technical Circular No. 29 | 2016

Subject: Update on regulation reg. sulphur content of fuel oil within Chinese domestic emission control areas (ECAs)

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  • Reference is made to our Technical Circular No. 003/2016 dated 16th February 2016 reg. “China -Implementation plan for new domestic emission control areas”.
  • The Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration has now announced that the higher emission control requirement is imposed in Shanghai Port (including sea areas and inland waters) within the Yangtze River Delta Domestic Emission Control Area wef 1 April 2016.
  • The sulphur content of any fuel oil used on board vessels berthing at Shanghai Port (excluding the first hour after arrival and the last hour before departure) shall not exceed 0.5% m/m on and after 1 April 2016.
  • Ships must switch to compliant fuel within one hour of arriving at their berth and burn compliant fuel until not more than one hour prior to departure.
  • Similarly from 1 October 2016, ships calling at Shenzhen Port in the Pearl River Delta ECA must use fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.50% whilst berthed.
  • From 1 Jan 2017, ships calling at the remaining key ports within the Chinese domestic ECAs as mentioned below must use fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.50 percent whilst berthed:

               1. Guangzhou and Zhuhai ports in the Pearl River Delta.

               2. Ningbo-Zhoushan, Suzhou and Nantong in the Yangtze River Delta.

               3. Tianjin, Qinhuangdao, Tangshan and Huanghua in the Bohai-Rim Waters.

  • The methods of verification of compliance are in line with those set out in MARPOL Annex VI and include: 
    • For ships using low sulphur fuel, check of bunker delivery notes, fuel change-over procedures, engine room logbook records and fuel oil quality/ samples; and
    • For ships using alternative measures, such as shore power, LNG or exhaust gas scrubbers, check of the International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) Certificate/ Record and engine room log book records.
  • Ship Owners and operators are advised to be guided by above and refer our Technical Circular No. 003/2016 dated 16th February 2016 and take appropriate measures when calling Chinese ports as from 01 April 2016 to ensure compliance of relevant requirements and to avoid any delay or penalty to the ship.

 

 

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