China – Emission Control Area updates for Shanghai, Zhejiang & Jiangsu

Members will already be aware of the Regulations concerning the sulphur content of fuel to be used by vessels at certain times during berthing and whilst in specified Emission Control Areas, as outlined in the Club’s previous News Alerts (click here). Members calling at ports in Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu should note further information received from the Correspondent, Huatai Insurance Agency & Consultant Service Limited, concerning guidance recently issued by the Shanghai MSA, Zhejiang MSA (relevant to a range of ports from Ningbo to Zhoushan) and Jiangsu MSA (Suzhou and Nantong ports) on:-

1. The requirement for ships to use fuel oil with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.5%mm when berthing from 1 April 2016 onwards;

2. Details of the “berthing period” during which low sulphur fuel needs to be used, for example, in Shanghai the period runs from when the ship is firmly fastened to a bollard until all cables are untied, whereas in Suzhou and Nantong the relevant period is within 1 hour after arrival and 1 hour before departure;

3. Alternatives to using low sulphur fuel, eg. shore power, clean energy etc; and

4. In Shanghai, how to apply for an exemption if low sulphur fuel oil is unsafe to ships.

Records and fuel samples will need to be kept accordingly, to avoid penalties being imposed.

Further details are set out in the Correspondent’s Circular which can be accessed by clicking here.