Due to frequent inquiries regarding recent regulation of Chinese coastal emission control area, specifically those related to sulfur content in fuel and the permissibility of EGCS emissions in regulated areas, we have published port information regarding the document of guidelines from the China Maritime Safety Administration based on the date of issuance of this information. Please see the attached files and information below for your operations:

1. Summary of Sulfur Limit implementation Scheme (Refer to the Chapter II in the attached document “China MSA's Implementation Scheme of 2020 Global Marine Fuel Oil Sulphur Limit by 2020”)

1) From 1st January 2020, the sulfur content of any fuel oil used on ships engaged in international voyages entering the waters under the jurisdiction of the People’s Republic of China shall not exceed 0.50% m/m. The “fuel oil” in this Scheme refers to any fuel oil delivered to and intended for combustion purposes for propulsion or operation on board a ship, including distillate and residual fuels.

2) From 1st January 2020, the Sulfur content of any fuel oil used on board ships of international voyages shall not exceed 0.1% m/m when operating in the inland river emission control area. From 1st January 2022, the Sulfur content of any fuel oil used on board ships of international voyages shall not exceed 0.1% m/m when operating in the coastal emission control area in Hainan waters.

3) Ships on international voyages with equivalent requirements in its alternative measures (e.g Exhaust Gas Cleaning System and etc) which comply with Article 4 of MARPOL Annex VI could be exempt from the requirements of paragraphs 1 and 2 herein. The above “alternative measures” refer to any fittings, apparatus or alternative fuels which are at least as effective in terms of emissions reductions as required above. From 1st January 2020, the wash water of open-loop exhaust gas cleaning systems should not be discharged into waters of DECA (Domestic Emission Control Areas).

In addition to the above-mentioned information, more Information such as the FONAR (Fuel Oil Non-Availability Report), Reporting of Non-Compliant Fuel Oil, Supervision and Management of Fuel Oil Supplier are included in the attached files. Please refer to these as necessary.

This port information is based on documents from the China Maritime Safety Administration, and it is important to note that specific regulations or additional requirements for a particular port should be confirmed separately with the port's agent or local port authorities at the port of call.

Web page link: https://www.msa.gov.cn/page/article.do?articleId=7917B172-1CB6-421E-881C-25E5D00001B3&channelId=8CC0AFA9-D107-4890-9A70-6F1090800B13 

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