As previously informed in ClassNK Technical Information TEC-1138, the Chinese government has implemented regulations limiting the sulphur content of fuel oils used onboard ships to 0.5% within the following Emission Control Areas (ECAs): The Pearl River Delta, the Bohai Rim and the Yangtze River Delta. The Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration (MSA), the Jiangsu MSA and the Zhejiang MSA announced that, as of 1 October 2018, not only berthing ships but also navigating ships are required to use fuel oils which sulphur content does not exceed 0.5%.

The outline of the regulation is as follows:

1. Applicable ships
Ships voyaging, berthing and operating within the emission control areas excluding military ships, sports ships and fishery ships

2. Applicable date
On or after 1 October 2018

3. Contents of the regulation
(1) Shanghai MSA
The ships navigating, anchoring or operating in Shanghai Port should use fuel oils which sulphur content does not exceed 0.5%. In addition, all ships installed with devices of receiving shore power should use shore power if such facilities are available in Shanghai Port.

(2) Jiangsu MSA
The sea-going ships sailing into Suzhou Port or Nantong Port which are the core ports of Yangtze River Delta ECAs should use fuel oils which sulphur content does not exceed 0.5%. In addition, ships installed with devices for receiving shore power should give priority to the use of shore power if such facilities are available in Suzhou Port and Nantong Port. Moreover, between 29 October 2018 and 11 November 2018, ships installed with devices for receiving shore power should use shore power if such facilities are available in Suzhou Port, Wuxi Port, Nantong Port and Changzhou Port.

(To be continued)