The ECAs for Atmospheric Pollution from ships are designated to control and reduce emissions of atmospheric pollutants including SOx, NOx, particulate matters and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from ships and improve the air quality of coastal areas and inland river port cities.
A new Coastal ECA has been designated and includes all sea areas and ports within China’s territorial sea, as well as the Hainan Coastal ECA. Additionally, two Inland ECAs have been designated, which include parts of the Yangtze River and the Xi Jiang River.
Any fuel change-over operation must be completed prior to the entry into or commenced after exit from any of the designated domestic ECAs. It is recommended shipping operators and Masters to contact their local agents to clarify any other ECA related regulation concerning a Chinese port prior ships arrival.
As per Chinese regulation, ocean-going ships should comply with the following action plan:
-From 1 January 2019, ships should use fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.50% while operating within the Coastal ECA (including the Hainan Coastal ECA).
-From 1 July 2019, the existing ships (except for tankers) with onboard devices for the use of shore power should use the shore power when berthing at a berth with shore power supply capabilities inside the coastal emission control area for more than 3 hours, or inside the inland river emission control area for more than 2 hours without using other alternative or equivalent measures.
-From 1 January 2020, the sulphur content of fuel oil used on board sea-going ships should not exceed 0.1% m/m when operating in the inland river emission control area.
-From 01 January 2022, the sulphur content of any fuel oil used on board sea-going ships should not exceed 0.1% m/m when operating in the coastal emission control area in Hainan waters.
The Chinese authorities may determine that even stricter fuel quality requirements should be imposed in future and will inform for the decision on implementation of a 0.10% sulphur cap in the Coastal ECA from 1 January 2025.
Additionally, updated regulations on NOx emissions for ships in domestic trade are published and ships need to comply with the IMO Tier II emission limits or Tier III requirements in MARPOL Annex VI (will be assessed in due course). Compliance to above requirements may be permitted by alternative methods, including the use of, exhaust gas scrubbers, shore power, using clean energy.
Source: http://en.msa.gov.cn
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